Hong Kong Tech Start-ups Showcase Innovations at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, Strengthening European Business Ties.

Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 under Economic and Trade Express Initiative

As a flagship initiative under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) joins hands with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) to host a series of events to support Hong Kong tech start-ups in exploring the business opportunities in Europe during VivaTech 2026, the largest startup and technology event in Europe, which takes place in Paris, France from June 17 to 20 (Paris time).

As announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address, the new functional ETE platform is launched to enable overseas Economic and Trade Offices, HKTDC, and InvestHK to enhance their work on trade and investment promotion with greater synergy. One key highlight under ETE is to provide one-stop support services by Hong Kong’s overseas trade and investment promotion network to facilitate business exchanges between Hong Kong and overseas markets.

Speaking at a thematic seminar and networking reception titled “Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems: Powering the Next Wave of International Tech Leadership from Hong Kong” on June 19, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, welcomed the Hong Kong partners and start-ups participating in the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 as a flagship initiative enabled by ETE, and highlighted Hong Kong’s strategy to leverage its unique strengths to build a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

“Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem brings together four powerful advantages: top-tier research and talent, deep pools of global capital, unparalleled access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area innovation cluster, and strong connectivity to global markets, providing businesses with a comprehensive platform to innovate, scale up and expand into the Asian and global markets.” Ms Yung said.

Ms Yung also shared with the audiences from both Hong Kong and Europe, the latest development of the Northern Metropolis, the innovation frontier of Hong Kong, including the vast opportunities that the development of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop and the adjacent San Tin Technopole would bring about.

In addition to the event on June 19, Ms Yung also addressed the audiences at a networking reception on June 18, namely “Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity”. Leveraging the ETE initiative, Brussels ETO, HKTDC and InvestHK also jointly organised a series of other promotional and networking events to provide targeted support to the participating Hong Kong tech start-ups in exploring the local market, including pitching sessions, thematic seminars, and other networking activities.

This year, the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion features 24 Hong Kong startups, showcasing innovations in artificial intelligence and robotics, health technology, sustainability, and climate technology. Key supporting and participating organisations include Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Cyberport.

As Europe’s largest event dedicated to startups and technology, VivaTech 2026 celebrates its 10th edition this year. The event is expected to attract over 180 000 visitors, 14 000 startups, and 3 600 investors from around the world. Brussels ETO has been supporting the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion of VivaTech since 2024 to promote the opportunities of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sectors.

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 19), and seized a total of about 6 kilograms of suspected ketamine and 5kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 22-year-old British male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, via London, the United Kingdom, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 6 kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 41-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Phuket, Thailand, yesterday. Customs officers found about 5 kg of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

Investigations of both cases are on-going.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).