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In the past three years trade friction between Mainland China and the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted Hong Kong's business environment, with import and export trade weaker.

Like many parents of young children, Australian expatriates Jade Poon and Natalie Chow found their Hong Kong homes were becoming cluttered with toys – many of which their toddlers no longer even played with. Friends since their schooldays and keen to live more sustainably, the pair decided this was wasteful. So in April 2019, Ms Poon, a human resources executive, and Ms Chow, a marketing executive-turned-entrepreneur, came up with the idea to establish Happy Baton, Hong Kong’s first toy rental subscription service.

The post-pandemic workforce is changing as independent contractors and full-time employees demand more flexible hours or remote working. Payroll and compliance provider Deel, which set up operations in Hong Kong earlier this year, is a one-stop platform for global hiring, payroll and compliance, collaborating with partners including co-working space WeWork, cloud-based accounting software firm Xero, and information technology consultants Hofy to localise compliance and payments.

Many people regard modern universities, with their four-year degree courses followed by mortarboard-clad graduations, as almost as quaint and outdated as the mortarboard itself (it was derived from the headgear mediaeval cathedral builders used to carry mortar up to the towers they were creating).

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 31st HKTDC Education & Careers Expo ran for four days late last month at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The expo ran in parallel with three other HKTDC events – the Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks.

Hong Kong is forever changing and adapting as China, East Asia and the rest of the world move forward. The city’s people, especially the young, need to continually upgrade their skills and knowledge bases to match.