Dr. Liu Xiaochun, President of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration ("SCIA"), and Dr. Thomas So, Chairman of the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited ("eBRAM"), signed the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") on behalf of the two institutions. The first three Hong Kong institutions, eBRAM, South China International Arbitration Center (HK) ("SCIA HK") and Des Voeux Chambers ("DVC"), signed up Cooperation Agreements to settle in the GBA International Arbitration Center.

Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"), Mr. John Lee, Chief Secretary for Administration Government of HKSAR, and key leaders of Shenzhen, witnessed the signing of the cooperation agreement on the GBA International Arbitration Center and the settling of the first three Hong Kong institutions in Shenzhen.

Standing at the key period of the establishment of the GBA International Arbitration Center, the signing and settling ceremony is of great significance as follows:

First, it is a "milestone" for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to jointly establish the GBA International Arbitration Center. Within the overall framework of the establishment of the GBA International Arbitration Center, eBRAM, as a representative of the institutions from Hong Kong and Macao, signed an MOU with SCIA to reach a consensus on online dispute resolution services, development of the online dispute resolution platform, resource sharing of arbitrators and mediators, cooperation in promotion and training, and exchange of legal technologies. In the future, the two sides will carry out in-depth cooperation in these areas, complement each other's advantages, share resources, and work together to jointly establish an International Legal Service Center and an International Center for Commercial Dispute Resolution.

Second, it is the "foothold" for Hong Kong and Macao legal profession to integrate into the GBA development. With an open, inclusive and exemplary approach, Shenzhen will provide an advanced space for qualified legal professionals across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to carry out international arbitration business in accordance with the law, and facilitate exchanges and cooperation between arbitration and mediation institutions in the Greater Bay Area. So far, six Hong Kong and Macao institutions have confirmed to enter the GBA International Arbitration Center Exchange and Cooperation Platform in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. eBRAM, SCIA HK and DVC, as the first three Hong Kong institutions, officially entered the GBA International Arbitration Center Exchange and Cooperation Platform on the signing and settling ceremony. They will, based on the platform, serve the mutual recognition, symbiosis, connection and integration of the systems, mechanisms and rules in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and share the development opportunities of the GBA.

eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited (eBRAM) tasks itself to elevate Hong Kong’s arbitration and mediation services, and build capacity to meet the rapidly expanding demand for online dispute resolution services across the borders, by utilizing innovative technologies to enable the city to become a LawTech centre and hub for international business dispute avoidance and resolution.