Hong Kong investment by non-local key enterprises to rise to HK$50 billion: Paul Chan

At signing ceremony with 18 non-local companies, finance chief says development of tech and innovation ‘more urgent’ amid geopolitical tensions

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Eighteen new non-local companies have pledged to establish or expand operations in the city through the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises. Photo: Eugene Lee

Published: 6:17pm, 8 Apr 2025Updated: 6:11am, 9 Apr 2025

The development of technology and innovation to drive Hong Kong’s economic growth is “more urgent” amid the current geopolitical landscape, the finance chief has stressed, adding that investment brought to the city by non-local strategic enterprises will increase to HK$50 billion (US$6.4 billion).

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Tuesday that Hong Kong would aim to attract cultural and creative enterprises in the coming days, as he attended a partnership signing ceremony with 18 non-local companies.

“Beyond finance, trade and shipping, technology and innovation is becoming another key engine propelling our future economic growth, creating quality jobs for our people, and strengthening the resilience of our economy,” he said.

“This strategic development direction grows more urgent in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.”

Chan said Hong Kong remained committed to upholding its free-port status and free-trade policy amid the rise of unilateralism and protectionism around the world.

Earlier in the day, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said attracting more foreign enterprises and capital to the city was one of seven strategies the government would adopt to mitigate the effect brought by the United States’ sweeping tariffs.