The Italian Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend this seminar about the benefit that Hong Kong Companies and local financial institutions can expect from Chinese investments.

The AIIB is the newest member in the family of multilateral development banks. The Beijing-based institution launched operations in January 2016. Italy is one of 57 countries (including many other EU member states) that joined as founding members. During the process of setting up the bank, Italy and other advanced economies pushed successfully to ensure that its Articles of Agreement are fully consistent with established international standards.

The AIIB’s objective is to help reduce what international experts such as the Asian Development Bank consider to be a significant shortfall in infrastructure financing in Asia. Doing this would boost sustainable economic development in the region and foster greater convergence in environmental, social and living standards in the countries where the bank operates. In keeping with this strategy, 85% of the contributions that shareholders make to the bank count as Official Development Assistance (ODA). Investments by the AIIB place a priority on the following sectors: energy, transport, urban development, and water, especially in the region’s less-developed countries. Despite dynamic growth in recent decades, the Asia region as a whole is still home to a number of countries where annual GDP per capita remains below US$2,000. At the same time, the bank aims to intensify regional cooperation by working together closely with existing bilateral and multilateral development institutions.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Fabrizio Costa – Senior Director, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy (MEF)

Highly qualified, result orientated economics specialist with diversified experience in European policies, enterprise competitiveness, policy design and management, intergovernmental financial relations, export credits, cooperation to development and international relations. Experienced in high-level negotiations with entities of both the private and public sectors in emerging markets such as China, Russia, and Brazil. Fluent in Italian and English, conversant in French and Spanish

Fabrizio Costa took up his role as economic and financial Counsellor at the Embassy of Italy to the People’s Republic of China in 2017. His main responsibility in Beijing is keeping relations with the Ministry of Finance as well as with Chinese financial institution and investments funds. He is the AIIB focal point for Italy: promotion of AIIB mission, initiatives, and projects with the Italian community at large, facilitating policy dialogue between the Bank and Italian institutions. Among his duties also analyses and reporting on Chinese macroeconomic trends (growth, inflation, unemployment, current account, etc.) and policy developments (including fiscal, monetary, tax budget and exchange rate policies); assessment of conditions, trends and deregulatory initiatives in the Chinese banking, securities, and other financial sectors.

Beyond his years in China, Mr. Costa has held management positions at the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, at the Regional Administration of the Marche Region, at the National Agency for Inward Investment and Economic Development (Invitalia). He was also a member of the board of several public and private institutions: SACE, SIMEST SpA Committee, National Agency for Innovation, Merloni Foundation, Svim SpA. He has worked as an official in the Executive Board of the World Bank and in Italy’s Ministry of the Treasury.

Save the date!

On June 26th, don’t miss the chance to experience a unique dinner party organized by Aqua and Peroni in collaboration with Dal Duca and Antica Barberia Italiana.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce is glad to invite you to be our guest and shop together this innovative Italian fashion brand.

Geox is delighted to announce a private sale on June 26, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at the brand’s Shop in the IFC Mall, where guests will have the chance to discover the brand’s latest collection while sipping a good glass of prosecco.

RSVP now to enjoy up to 70%!

About Geox

Geox is an Italian brand, born in the 90s thanks to the inventiveness and determination of its founder, Mario Moretti Polegato. The Geox group operates in the footwear and garments sectors. Its mission is to diffuse innovation, especially when it comes to creating technological solutions that ensure breathability and impermeability.

Geox creates, produces, promotes and distributes innovative, patented products all over the world. It operates in the men’s, women’s and children’s classic, casual, sports and fashion sectors. The company’s strong points are the unwavering focus on its Italian products, style and technology; the transfer of acquired know-how to other, complementary product types; and the qualitative and quantitative development of its international sales-network. These have all led to incredible success for Geox.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with eeVoices, is glad to invite you to a seminar to learn more about background checks and pre-employment screening processes.

Mr Cheung and Mr Ma will share their insights on how pre-employment screening could assist business leaders, HR professionals, and business owners in increasing their probability in making the right hiring decisions. The topic covered in this session includes the followings:

• Common pitfalls and misconception in pre-employment screening
• Industry best practices in pre-employment background checks
• Case studies in different pre-employment screening programs
• The latest trend and industry-specific insights for pre-employment screening across different regions

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Christen Ma, BBA – Director of Client Relations, eeVoices Limited

MA possesses over 10-years’ experience in employment screening in the APAC region. He is experienced in assisting clients to implement thorough employment screening programs and protocols through their organization across different countries. His team currently oversees clients from 10+ countries globally assisting them with their needs. MA completed his BBA degree in Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, prior returning to Asia and he is currently an active speaker at different events to promote the standards and protocols ineffective employment screening, helping more employers to achieve “better hiring” – better hiring experience and decisions!

Chung Cheung – Senior Regional Manager, Employment Screening Division, eeVoices Limited

Since 2014, CHEUNG has been working in Employment Screening Division of eeVoices Limited, a leading employment background check organization in the Asia Pacific region. CHEUNG currently oversees the entire operations of the Greater China region, with key responsibilities in supporting key accounts as well as leading his team of Account Managers and Consultants for different screening needs. CHEUNG was graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Social Science degree in The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. With his hands-on experience in working closely with HR leaders in the Greater China region, CHEUNG often participates in different seminars in the Greater China region to share his insight and expertise.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce is honored to invite you to the third Startup & Ecosystem Mixer dedicated to Italian startups aiming to take root in Asia.

Meet the key players of the Hong Kong innovation ecosystem along with the finalist startups from startIT.asia 2019 edition, an innovative program to promote international expansion for Italian potential startups this year focusing on the field of fashion tech and retail tech.

Agenda:

6.00PM Registration and welcome

6.15PM Opening remarks

6.30PM Introduction to startIT.asia programme

6.40PM Presentation by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center

6.50PM Startups’ pitches

7.15PM Roundtable on Circular Economy, Fashion and Retail Tech

7.50PM Closing remarks

8.00PM Networking buffet and dinner

9.30PM End of the event

RSVP by July 5th.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce is glad to invite you to this inspiring lunch about manufacturers in Vietnam.

In recent years, Vietnam has emerged as one of the key locations in ASEAN for manufacturers seeking to reduce costs and diversify their supply chain due to economic currents and moving supply chains.

With its large young working population and a strong network of trade agreements, Vietnam has been one of the key recipients of these FDI flows. In addition, Vietnam provides a gateway for companies to access to its market and other ASEAN countries.

This seminar aims to provide participants with an update of the business opportunities and advantages of manufacturing in Vietnam. In addition, participants will be introduced to the current tax incentives, labor framework, and key manufacturing locations.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

 Nguyen Chi Toan,  Marketing Director, VSIP South & Central

Mr. Nguyen Chi Toan is VSIP Marketing Director who is in charge of VSIP Industrial park business. He has intensive experience of more than 18 years’ in investment guidance, strategic investment analysis in attracting companies to set up manufacturing bases in all projects of VSIP in Vietnam.

Sara Silenzi, Manager of the Italian Desk of Fidinam Hong Kong

Sara Silenzi holds a law degree from University of Parma (Italy) and a second Level Master in Business and Company Law from LUISS University Guido Carli (Rome). She passed the Italian Bar Exam in 2015. She is experienced in Italian company and tax law. Sara Silenzi has had experience in setting up companies in Vietnam.

Joel K. Ma, C.P.M., Business Strategy Director, Asia Pacific Hallmark Cards (HK) Limited

Joel Ma has been with Hallmark Cards for 29 years. He is experienced in working with diverse suppliers in more than 15 countries. He excels at building collaborative relationships with suppliers and business partners and bringing added value to customers through on-going and significant cost savings.

Joel graduated from the University of Kansas with an MBA, majoring in Finance and Marketing in 1990. He received the lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) certification from the Institute for Supply Management in 2008. In addition to English, he is proficient in Putonghua, Cantonese, and Chaozhou. He is passionate about supplier relationship management and deeply believes in building competitive advantages through supplier collaboration. Joel is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Business Administration in supply chain management with City University of Hong Kong.

The world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data, which is fuelling the transition to high-tech societies. Data-driven approaches are already revolutionizing health care, education, energy and transport systems, and changing the way people work and live. Who is winning in the quest for digital supremacy?

Join us at Innovation Summit Asia 2019 on September 5th in Hong Kong to discuss how Asia is a fertile testbed for innovation. Members of  Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao can get an extra 20% off the current rate. Secure your place with code ICC3552.

For more details, please visit bit.ly/2UV1KA9 and contact this email asiaevents@economist.com.

The fourth edition of the Belt and Road Summit jointly organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will be held on September 11 and 12 in Hong Kong.

The Belt and Road Summit is a premier international platform for promoting business collaboration along the Belt and Road. The Summit gathers senior government officials and business leaders from countries and regions along and beyond the Belt and Road to exchange insights on multilateral co-operation and explore concrete business opportunities.

Our members are entitled to enjoy 40% special discount on the Summit’s participation fee. Please register online here by applying the registration discount before 21 June 2019.

Register now and realize the vision! For more event information, please visit here.

Hong Kong is facing increasing competition from neighboring countries on tax rates and operation costs, it is no longer easy for Hong Kong corporations to survive under this challenging environment. Hong Kong Government has also been promoting corporate detention through various tax deduction measures and subsidies to support corporations in tax and business transformation.

Through this seminar, PwC professionals will share the latest development of the tax environment and how to prepare and develop effective tax and business planning strategies through some applicable Government grants, also with real cases sharing.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Desmond Wong, Senior Manager Tax Services,  PwC Hong Kong

Desmond joined PwC in 2007 and is a Senior Manager of the corporate tax practice at PwC Hong Kong. He has extensive experience in providing tax services to a large number of multinational and domestic clients of various industries, such as technology, consumer and industrial products. Furthermore, Desmond handles both tax compliance and consulting assignments and has experience in Hong Kong and regional tax consultancy work including corporate restructuring and tax-efficient holding structures, mergers and acquisition, tax investigation, debt financing structuring, cross-border tax planning, etc. He is currently acting as the Client Relationship Manager for a number of PwC priority clients with a dominant presence in Hong Kong or the Asia Pacific. In 2012, Desmond was sent to PwC US on a three-year secondment program, during which he worked in the Los Angeles and Atlanta offices respectively. He was involved in US tax compliance work as well as international tax projects. He graduated from the Macquarie University in Australia with a degree in Finance. He is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Karman Leung, Manager Operations Excellence Solutions, PwC Hong Kong

Karman is a Manager of PwC Hong Kong’s operations excellence solutions. She has extensive experiences in enterprise diagnostics, business process analysis, application system implementation, R&D tax advisory and government funding application for ten years. She has taken part in numerous consultancy assignments and delivered training services in the sector of manufacturing, logistics, catering, retail, and real estate. She specializes in assisting clients implementing operations improvement programs, including business process restructuring, best practices materials and tools development, product cost analysis, employee appraisal scheme setup, IT applications design, pre-investment study, implementation, and customization, etc. Further, she helps clients to realize business goals by identifying suitable government funding and assisting the clients from funding application to funding portfolio management. In addition, she participates in various public speaking engagements to share her practical experiences such as “R&D tax deduction regime”, “Best practice of document management in the changing tax landscape”, “Agile logistics and warehouse automation”, “Real-time manufacturing execution management” and “Track-and-trace technology in food supply chain”, etc. She holds a bachelor degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a master degree in Executive Master of Business Administration and obtains a certificate in Food Safety Management

It is with great pleasure that the Italian Chamber of Commerce presents the highly anticipated Gala Dinner 2019. Over 500 guests representing Hong Kong’s institutional and business scenes will dine and enjoy a night of Italian class and glam at the sumptuous Grand Hyatt Ballroom on November 1st from 6:30pm till late.

For this year the Italian Chamber of Commerce wants to take a strong testament in favour of sustainability and green technology by making the event a sustainable luxury and classy night! Do not miss the chance of making the difference.

Dinner entertainment will feature live performances, silent auction with fabulous prizes and a lucky draw.

For sponsorship opportunities, more information about table bookings and single seats price, please contact Silvia at icc@icc.org.hk or contact +852 2521 8837.

Mark your calendar now and contact us for more information.