May 2023

Consumers in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area known as the Greater Bay Area or GBA, experienced three days of fashion and stylish shopping with the opening of the Chic Hong Kong shopping festival on May 26.

Jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government held at the COCO Park shopping mall in Shenzhen’s Futian District, the event is the first large-scale promotion of Hong Kong consumer goods in the GBA following the complete lifting of border-crossing restrictions.

Nearly 80 exhibitors with over 130 Hong Kong brands showcased “Hong Kong style” across food, lifestyle, and fashion.

The event was organised by HKTDC GBA Centre, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and The People’s Government of Futian District, with the support of Cyberspace Administration of Shenzhen Municipality, PRD Council of Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce Qianhai, and the Greater Bay Area International Development Authority.

Comprised three themed exhibition areas: Chic Living; Chic Style; and Chic Taste, products on show encompassed a wide range including, consumer electronics and technology products, smart home goods, fashionable clothing and accessories, as well as food, beverages, and health products.

Among the nearly 80 exhibitors, 40 percent made their debut in the mainland market, using this event as a springboard to establish business ties.

The event featured Hong Kong brands and “chic” items based on innovation, sustainable design, green and healthy living, original design with trendy elements.

Altogether, over 100 activities were opened to the public including the grand finals of the ‘9+2’ street dance competition, a  demonstration of KamCha Hong Kong Style Milk Tea brewing, Capella performances, freestyle basketball displays, close-up magic shows, a parade featuring stilt-walking magicians, flash mobs, hip-hop performances, and portrait painting.

HKTDC invited a number of social media influencers from Guangdong and Hong Kong to join and support the event with daily live-streaming about what the event has to offer consumers and features on their personal favourite products.

Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak, has been selected as the host of the International Choir Competition, Forum and Workshop 2025 organised by the German cultural organisation, INTERKULTUR.

INTERKULTUR a leading organiser of international choir competitions and festivals and has been making decisive contributions to the choral world for decades. It was founded in 1988, and INTERKULTUR has to date organised more than 10,000 choirs with 450,000 singers from all over the world.

According to INTERKULTUR, Sarawak’s rich, multi-ethnic culture makes it the perfect destination for the competition, especially with its reputation for hosting the renowned Rainforest World Music Festival which attracts approximately 20,000 music revellers every year.

“Music is an inherent part of Sarawak’s culture since we are a culturally and linguistically diverse part of Asia,” said Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts. “Traditional and ethnic music is an important part of our cultural gatherings.”

INTERKULTUR events are centred on the belief that singing unites different cultures and worldviews according to their motto: ‘Singing together brings nations together’.

The International Choir Competition in Kuching, Sarawak is expected to attract a total of 1,000 participants of which 200 are from the local choral communities while, 800 international participants are expected to join the event.

“INTERKULTUR’s philosophy is that choral singing is a socially inclusive activity that is free from discrimination and prejudice,” expressed INTERKULTUR’s vice president, Mr. Stefan Bohlander. “Sarawak is well known for its peaceful and welcoming attitude which is a priority for INTERKULTUR events. We believe that the International Choir Competition will boost mutual respect and understanding between cultures.”

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on April 21 in Portugal between GTEF and UNWTO to elevate their cooperation in tourism, economy and culture.

The MoU was witnessed by chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Ho Iat Seng with the World Tourism Organization represented by the secretary-general Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, and chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Ms. Pansy Ho.

“We believe that with the elevated collaboration, we will further contribute to the long-term sustainable development of the global tourism and related industries as well as promoting the diversified development of Macao,” said Mr. Lei Wai Nong, secretary for economy and finance of the Macao SAR Government.

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili stated that the Gobal Tourism Economy Forum will be the platform to bring together governments, business leaders, international organisations and entrepreneurs.

While Ms.Pansy Ho remarked: “In 2023, the GTEF will celebrate its 10 year milestone. In our next decade, we hope to establish the GTEF as the “Davos of Tourism” — embodying the Davos mission of openness and cooperation.”

The main participants of the MoU were the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal, Portugal Tourism Board, Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism, Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and six integrated tourism and leisure enterprises from Macao.

The 10th GTEF will convene in Macao in late September 2023.  Shanghai is invited to join the 10th GTEF as the ‘Featured Chinese City’. At the same time, GTEF has also invited Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance and one of the four biggest economies in Europe, to be its Partner Country this year.

Beginning in 2024, the location for GTEF will alternate each year, between other international destinations and Macao, to promote international cooperation and cultural exchange, as well as  strengthen GTEF’s international status.

The 10th Anak Sarawak Awards will be presented on the night of May 12 with ‘Passion Inspires Legacies’ as the theme, and a total of nine awards will be given away.

One of the highlights of this year’s Anak Sarawak Awards is the Sarawak Legacy Award – the newest category introduced to acknowledge conventions that focus on environmental, social and governance agendas – prioritizing legacy as its long-term result.

Another major highlight to look forward is the launching of Malaysia’s first-ever Business Events Sarawak Legacy Ambassador Programme, a community of influential business events and legacy advocates in developing social and economic transformation through business event legacies. The first group of ambassadors will be revealed during the launch.

An annual event, the Anak Sarawak Awards, celebrate the achievement of outstanding individuals and organisations in the business events industry who have contributed significantly to Sarawak’s economic development.