(Hong Kong, 29 November 2024) eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre (“eBRAM”), an independent non-profit organisation, signed the “Deal-making Portal”, “GBA Online Dispute Resolution Collaborative Platform” and “Foreign-related Legal Services Professionals Training” Strategic Partnership MoU with several enterprises and professional organisations in the Greater Bay Area yesterday. This milestone not only showcases the vibrant development of Hong Kong in the LawTech field but also signifies a new height in its international arbitration and mediation services.



The signing ceremony was officiated by Dr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong SAR Government and Ms. Yumei Zhang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, they witnessed the signing of the Strategic Partnership MoU for Deal-making Portal between eBRAM and seven professional organisations, namely Smart City Consortium, SME Global Alliance, Hong Kong O2O E-Commerce Federation, IOT HK Association, Hong Kong Transport & Logistics Association, Hong Kong Minor Works Promotion Association, and The Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry and Macao SME Association. In addition, eBRAM has forged cooperative agreements with the Hetao International Mediation Center and Macau Institute of Professional Mediators, signing a strategic partnership MoU for GBA Online Dispute Resolution Collaborative Platform. It has also reached a cooperation intention with the International Probono Legal Services Association (IPLSA) on training talents in foreign-related legal services professionals through an MoU of cooperation.



By actively collaborating with professional organisations, eBRAM has provided enterprises with advanced business intelligence solutions. This strategic partnership speaks volumes to the shared vision of all stakeholders to drive the development of Hong Kong’s corporate and professional services, while fostering the integration of international legal services with technology, thereby further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial centre and dispute resolution hub.

Dr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of HKSAR pointed out in the speech, "To promote the development of the digital economy, the Department of Justice will study and formulate policies to promote the industry's application of legal technology. The two platforms of eBRAM can effectively drive digital trade, assist industries in digital transformation, and promote the development of legal technology, thereby strengthening and enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as one of the ‘Eight Centres’. Leveraging these platforms can facilitate the diversified development of dispute resolution mechanisms in the Greater Bay Area, enabling businesses within the Greater Bay Area to make more effective use of resources."



Implementing national strategies to promote high-quality development of legal system in the Greater Bay Area

In line with the national’s “14th Five-Year Plan” and to promote the development of the digital economy, eBRAM has been committed to utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency and quality of arbitration and mediation services. In December 2023, it launched an inclusive online “eBRAM Deal-making Portal” that serves as a secure and accessible avenue to assist enterprises in exploring potential partners and business opportunities. It also provides access to a range of suitable professional services, such as legal, accounting, and tax advisory to support them in  addressing potential challenges arising in cross-border transactions. Currently, approximately 260 companies have registered as platform members.

Led by eBRAM, the first “GBA Online Dispute Resolution Collaborative Platform” was officially launched in July this year. It is one of the significant policy measures highlighted in the “Policy Address 2023” and by the Department of Justice, aiming to strengthen communication and collaboration with Mainland China, establish a diversified dispute resolution mechanism and leverage the unique advantages of the “One Country, Two Systems and Three Legal Jurisdictions” in the GBA to promote the integrated development of legal services therein.

Dr. Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM said, "We are very honoured to have reached cooperation intentions with 10 professional institutions again. We hope to utilize innovative technologies to enhance the opportunities for companies to find partners and pursue collaboration. Through collaboration with regional professional organisations, we seek to elevate the level of legal systems construction in GBA, promote in-depth integration of the legal systems across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and contribute to creating an internationally competitive business environment in the GBA."



Empowering SMEs to embrace ESG and lead societal development

Investors increasingly focus on an enterprise’s practices in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas to evaluate its long-term value. In light of this trend, eBRAM arranged a fireside chat titled “When Small and Medium E-commerce Enterprises Meet ESG” following the signing ceremony, for representatives from SMEs to delve deeper into how ESG can help them achieve sustainable development and market breakthroughs.

The fireside chat received support from representatives of various institutions, including Ms. Olivia Kung, Partner of ONC Lawyers and Member of the Board of Directors of eBRAM, Mr. Gary Yeung, MH, Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium, and Ms. Holly So, Sustainability Strategist with Allianz Global Investors, Ms. Melanie Kwok, Assistant General Manager (Sustainability) and Head of Sustainability of Sino Group, and Ms. Michele Leung, Executive Director and Head of ESG and Climate of MSCI China. During the seminar, there were engaging discussions between the participating SMEs and the speakers, furthering their understanding of how to enhance their appeal to investors through ESG.

Mr. Ronald Sum, JP, Vice Chairman of eBRAM, said: "SMEs need to keep up with industry trends and accelerate their pace of digital transformation if they wish to effectively respond to challenges and capture market opportunities. In addition to providing high-quality professional services and assisting them in seeking collaboration opportunities, our platform also encourages them to take the first step towards sustainable business practices, helping them save costs and enhance competitive advantages as well as maintain business growth; and in case of disputes, they can also utilise online dispute resolution services to improve efficiency."

Photo Captions



(Front row from left to right) Dr. Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM signed the Strategic Partnership MoU for Deal-making Portal with Mr. Gary Yeung, MH, President of Smart City Consortium, Mr. Jefferson Wat, Supervisory Chairman of SME Global Alliance, Mr. Terrence Hui, President of Hong Kong O2O E-Commerce Federation, Mr. Sam Wu, President of IOT HK Association, Mr. Alex Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Transport & Logistics Association, Ms. May Leung, President of Hong Kong Minor Works Promotion Association, Mr. Ricky Leung, CEO of Macao SME Association (Affiliated to ICSB), under the witness of Dr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong SAR Government and Ms. Yumei Zhang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR



Ms. Helen Zhu, Chairman of Hetao International Mediation Center (Right 1) signed the Strategic Partnership MoU for GBA Online Dispute Resolution Collaborative Platform with Dr. Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM, under the witness of Dr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong SAR Government and Ms. Yumei Zhang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR



Dr. Garry Chio, President of Macau Institute of Professional Mediators (First from the right) signed the Strategic Partnership MoU for GBA Online Dispute Resolution Collaborative Platform with Dr. Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM, under the witness of Dr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong SAR Government and Ms. Yumei Zhang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR



Dr. Hon Junius Ho, BBS, JP, Founder and Chairman of IPLSA (Second from the right) signed the Partnership MOU for the training of foreign-related legal services professionals with Dr. Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM, under the witness of Dr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong SAR Government, Ms. Yumei Zhang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and Prof Hon William WONG Kam-fai, MH(First from the right)



On behalf of eBRAM, Mr. Ronald Sum JP (first from the left), Vice Chairman, presented commemorative gifts to the guests participating in the fireside chat guests, arranged from left to right, follows: Ms. Olivia Kung, Partner of ONC Lawyers and Member of the Board of Directors of eBRAM, Mr. Gary Yeung, MH, Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium, and Ms. Holly So, Sustainability Strategist with Allianz Global Investors, Ms. Melanie Kwok, Assistant General Manager (Sustainability) and Head of Sustainability of Sino Group, and Ms. Michele Leung, Executive Director and Head of ESG and Climate of MSCI China.