Potentially involved records include customer contact and order details, employee information and the last four digits of payment-card numbers; the number of people affected is still being confirmed.
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The 142 enterprises are also expected to create about 26,700 jobs; Peter Yan says the first six batches beat investment and employment targets.
The qualification covers Hong Kong and Macao practitioners and follows a six-year pilot that was regularised in 2026.
First-time technology exhibitors, an accounting firm and a craft brewery are seeking routes into mainland and overseas markets.
The 48-year-old vice-president is reported to have internal backing, with the presidential election scheduled for 20 November.
Two boats can carry 14 and 30 passengers, with trips expected to cost HK$500–600 a person.
About 60% of newly listed companies had international business, he said, as Hong Kong expands renminbi financing and market tools.
Goods exports jumped 30.4% and investment quickened, but private spending grew more slowly and several sectors faced job-market pressure.
At THE SOUTHSIDE, displays tell the 16 brands’ stories; the space also offers young product-design partners business advice, mentoring and internships.
The company says it is contacting affected customers and warns it will not ask for passwords or bank-account information by phone or email.
The institute is expected to start operating in early 2027, with initial work spanning staff skills, AI security, fraud detection and emerging technologies.
English coverage informed by local Chinese-language reporting. Original sources linked in every story.