The Government published the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill 2026 (the Bill) today (November 6) to facilitate the digitalisation of "Business-to-Business" (B2B) trade documents.

     A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, "The Bill puts into effect the measure announced in the 2025-26 Budget and the 2025 Policy Address to promote the digitalisation of B2B trade documents, so as to reduce administrative costs for businesses and improve the traceability of trading activities, with a view to maintaining and strengthening Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international trading centre."

     The Bill makes reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) advocated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. It provides a legal framework aligned with international standards for the digitalisation of transferable documents (common examples include bills of lading, bills of exchange and promissory notes), thereby fostering the wider use of electronic transferable records on the basis of functional equivalence with their paper counterparts. The Bill provides for the option of using electronic documents and does not replace paper documents compulsorily.

     The Bill will add a new Part to the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) specifically applicable to electronic transferable records. The new Part will largely follow the framework of the MLETR, as well as the principles of functional equivalence and technological neutrality, and address the notions of uniqueness, control, and reliability in an electronic environment through reliable methods.

     The spokesman added, "A total of 13 jurisdictions have enacted legislation modelled on the MLETR, including some of Hong Kong's key trading partners such as the Mainland, France, Singapore and the United Kingdom. As an international financial, shipping and trade centre, Hong Kong must ensure that its legal regime is aligned with international standards so as to keep pace with the global trend of trade digitalisation. The Bill will help promote cross-boundary interoperability and create a favourable environment for the industry to develop technological solutions according to practical needs, thereby enabling Hong Kong to maintain its competitive edge in the era of digital trade."

     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for First Reading and Second Reading on November 18.

Ends/Friday, November 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00

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