Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bernard Chan also emphasised, in the face of questions by lawmakers on Hong Kong’s response to the trade and tariff wars, a need to capitalise on economies’ wanting to de-risk in the face of external uncertainties.
“This is a time when many economies are looking to [diversify] their risks,” Chan told the legislature.
“We will attract foreign enterprises and investments to come to Hong Kong with an innovative approach.
“We’ll adopt a new mindset in helping mainland enterprises to reposition themselves and adjust their plans for world markets by offering them supply chain management services.
“We can become a regional or [global] headquarters for these enterprises.”
Chan also assured companies in the SAR that they would be operating in a stable environment.
“We will be steadfast in our position as a free port with zero tariffs,” he said.
“We need to provide a certain and foreseeable operating environment for businesses.
“We will deepen connections with our traditional markets while tapping opportunities in emerging markets…so as to expand our ‘circle of friends’.”
Chan noted that the government’s investment promotion agency helped 223 companies to establish or expand their businesses in Hong Kong in the first four months of the year, up 13 percent from the same period in 2024.
These firms, brought in through InvestHK, are expected to inject over HK$22.3 billion into the economy and create more than 4,900 jobs.
More than a quarter of them would like to set up their global or regional headquarters in the SAR.
