Jointly organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Ministry of Commerce, the inaugural Training Course on International Trade and International Investment Legal Practice commenced today.

The course aims to enhance capacity in "foreign-related rule of law".

Addressing its opening ceremony, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that Hong Kong, as an international centre for finance, trade and professional services, has long maintained close trade and export ties with the Mainland and markets around the world.

He said the course will allow participants to strengthen their capabilities in tackling emerging risks and challenges, acquaint themselves with fast-moving policies and market developments, engage in exchanges with international counterparts, work to safeguard the interests of economies, and seize opportunities in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Participants on the course include 20 senior experts from the Ministry of Commerce specialising in international negotiations and policy formulation, as well as dozens of other officials from the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The five-day programme covers topics such as the evolving geopolitical landscape for international trade, including export controls and sanctions regimes; emerging trade policy instruments; dispute resolution; technological developments; and legal issues arising from Chinese enterprises "going global".

Speakers include Deputy Secretary-General of the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Gabriela Alvarez Avila; a professor specialising in international relations; practitioners from law firms, an accounting firm and an advisory firm; representatives of the Department of Justice and arbitral institutions; a member of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee; and representatives from the Trade & Industry Department and the Financial Services Development Council.