Promulgated by the State Council on 30 September, new Regulations on Network Data Security Management will be implemented from 1 January 2025. The new regulations cover overall network data security requirements and rules, elaborate personal information protections, improve security for important data, optimise the administration of cross-border data flows, and set out the obligations of network platform service providers.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept public input through 30 November on separate proposals to modify the tariff classifications of certain women’s pants and video goggles.

Hong Kong’s electronics industry is the territory’s largest merchandise export earner, accounting for 70.4% of the city’s total exports in 2023. A substantial portion of this business, largely re-exports, are regarded as high-tech products, especially those related to telecommunications equipment, semiconductors and computer items.

The Second Agreement Concerning Amendments to the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) Agreement on Trade in Services (Amendment Agreement II) was signed by the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong Government on 9 October this year. Set to be implemented as of 1 March 2025, the amendments introduce new liberalisation measures across several sectors, including financial services, construction and related engineering services, testing and certification, telecommunication, motion pictures, television and tourism services.

Cambodia is emerging as a promising destination for investors seeking new markets in Southeast Asia. The country has a rapidly growing economy and its government implements policies aimed at fostering a conducive business environment. Its location and geography provide it with economic advantages – it borders several nations which are major regional manufacturers, and it possesses an international deepwater seaport, Sihanoukville International Port. All these factors mean that Cambodia presents a compelling case for international investors looking to capitalise on its untapped potential.

On 8 September, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce released Special Administrative Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2024 Edition). The new list reduces the number of access restrictions from 31 to 29.

China’s top global e-commerce platform Alibaba.com has partnered with Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) as it releases its Global Gold Supplier-Lite Package in Thailand. The membership programme, launched on 26 July 2024, will help Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with little or no export experience to access global markets. It offers affordable digital tools to enable businesses to tap global markets without the need for a huge upfront investment.

ASEAN, home to more than 670 million inhabitants, trails only India and China in terms of population, and as a bloc it now constitutes the world’s fifth-largest economy. Indonesia is ASEAN’s largest economy and the focal point of enormous consumer energy. For Hong Kong companies, there is huge potential, with the boom in e-commerce providing scope to seize new sales opportunities and expand into the Indonesian market.

The Federal Communications Commission on 23 May proposed new rules to ensure that wireless equipment authorisations “are not compromised by entities that have been found to pose national security concerns.” In practical terms, this regulatory action would permanently prohibit entities on the FCC’s Covered List, including various mainland Chinese telecom companies, from playing any role in the programme that authorises wireless devices to be marketed in or imported into the U.S.

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