Financial Secretary Paul Chan welcomed a new batch of 18 strategic enterprises establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong during a signing ceremony held by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES).
Mr Chan welcomed the new partners. He noted that half of the enterprises came from the Chinese Mainland, while the other half came from various parts of the world. Their businesses cover a wide range of sectors, from advanced manufacturing and new energy to artificial intelligence (AI), life and health technology, fintech, and cultural and creative technology. Several of the enterprises have market capitalisations or valuations exceeding $100 billion.
The total number of OASES enterprises has reached 142 with the addition of this new batch. Mr Chan said the enterprises are expected to bring in some $84 billion of investment and create about 27,000 jobs. Their total investment has exceeded expectations by 30%, while the jobs created rose by 34%, having taken up more than 2.8 million sq feet of commercial and industrial space.
“Yet these figures tell only part of the story. What matters is the difference these enterprises can make in driving our innovation and technology sector forward, providing new impetus to our economy and employment, as well as solutions that make people’s lives better.” he said.
He highlighted some examples of the new partners.
“One of the strategic enterprises in this batch has developed real-time AI-empowered risk scores to predict patient deterioration in general wards and intensive care units, allowing medical intervention to come much earlier.”
“Another strategic enterprise will deploy its AI+Smart vehicle technologies and Internet of Vehicles applications in Hong Kong to accelerate the wider adoption of EVs (electric vehicles), while using our city as a testing ground to advance green and smart mobility in the region. This is the kind of impact we would like to see. “
Director-General of OASES Peter Yan noted that these leading enterprises will not only bring capital, technology, and talent, but also serve as “chain leaders” to cluster upstream and downstream enterprises and partners in Hong Kong. These entreprises will foster deep integration across the industry, innovation, and capital chains, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an I&T hub.