Hong Kong certainly has a role to play here: local Hungarian business people I spoke to were well aware of the strengths of Hong Kong’s professional services and common law system.
As economic and trade relations with China expand, the demand and use of the RMB in Hungary is expected to grow further. As the world’s largest offshore RMB hub, Hong Kong can provide RMB-related financial services. Our traditional strengths in corporate financial management will also be of use.
The affordability and ease of travel is important, so there is a need to further expand direct flight services from Hong Kong to Europe and further to North America to reduce costs and increase convenience.
Hungary has announced the launch of direct flights between Budapest and Shenzhen. Hong Kong’s aviation services also need to keep up with the times and constantly work to strengthen its position as an international aviation hub.
Holden Chow, Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Consumers must be vigilant. Our lives depend on it.
As an individual, vigilance is essential, as my own experience has shown me that even established companies can be scammed.
Recently, my family took the car to a reputable car dealer for emergency repairs after finding a hole in the gas inlet pipe. They suggested replacing the gas tank, which we agreed to. We picked up the car a few days later, but the next 3-4 weeks were a nightmare as we found out we had been scammed.
Long story short, the gas leak was never fixed, and the store later admitted that the replacement gas tank was not brand new as promised. In the end, we received a full refund and HK$10,000 (US$1,280) in gas vouchers as compensation.
It sends chills down my spine to think what could have happened: if a car accident had happened in the last three or four weeks, my family could have died.
There are dishonest merchants out there trying to make profits at the expense of human lives, and we must all be careful.
Philip SK Leung and Pok Foo Lam
Drug regulators should put people before profits
Unlike their Hong Kong counterparts, Canadian authorities give the pharmaceutical industry undue influence over which drugs hit store shelves and when.
Health Canada was established in the best interests of Canadian consumers, which is understandable given that it is funded by taxpayers, but like its U.S. counterpart, the Food and Drug Administration, it is susceptible to manipulation by corporate lobbyists.
It is also notable and disturbing that Health Canada is diverting resources from the health and well-being of consumers to supporting the business and profits of the pharmaceutical industry. The department devotes roughly three times as many resources, including personnel and funding, to getting new drugs approved as it does to consumer safety, which also includes monitoring and recording side effects caused by medicines.
This is de facto corporate politics in Canada.
Frank Staal Jr., British Columbia, Canada
