Hong Kong Welcomes 17 New Strategic Enterprises, Promising $42 Billion Investment and 17,000 Jobs

Speech by FS at OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony today (November 11):

Representatives of our valued strategic enterprise partners, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome you all today to this partnership signing ceremony commissioned by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises.

This ceremony marks another step forward in realising our vision to become an international innovation and technology centre. Today, we celebrate the arrival of a new batch of 17 strategic enterprise partners. Together with the first two batches of partners, more than $42 billion of investments will be made and over 17 000 jobs created in this city in the coming few years.

It is particularly heartening to note that about 90 per cent of this new batch of enterprises are planning to set up their international or regional headquarters here in Hong Kong.

The partnership that we have been building with our strategic enterprises is indeed a symbiotic one. On the one hand, by leveraging our unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" arrangement, our status as an international financial centre, together with world-class universities and research institutions, top-notch professional services, and a highly skilled talent pool, Hong Kong will be the ideal springboard for strategic enterprises to grow and thrive, and to expand their reach in the region and beyond. On the other hand, their presence - your presence - together with the upstream, midstream or downstream partners you bring to work with us, enriches Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem.

And we are seeing good progress of this strategic partnership. Over 90 per cent of the enterprises from our previous two batches have already commenced their operations in Hong Kong. Nearly 70 per cent of them have chosen to set up their operations at the Science Park or Cyberport, underlining the strong and ever-growing collaboration with our two innovation flagships.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to fast-tracking the development of our innovation and technology sector. The Chief Executive's latest Policy Address has outlined a number of measures to increase our investments in emerging industries such as AI, biotech and new energy; advance our strategic infrastructure such as the Northern Metropolis; and strengthen our collaboration with sister cities in the Greater Bay Area. I'm sure these initiatives will benefit our strategic enterprises, and bolster our city's position as an attractive destination for more enterprises.

To all strategic enterprise partners here, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Hong Kong. Your decision is a resounding vote of confidence in the tremendous opportunities this city offers. My appreciation also goes to colleagues in OASES, InvestHK, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, and other government departments for all your efforts in assisting our strategic enterprises to settle into Hong Kong.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to officially welcome our new Director-General of OASES, Mr Peter Yan, who has joined us recently. I look forward to the ongoing brilliance of the work of OASES under your leadership.

I wish you all an enjoyable afternoon and every success in your business endeavours in the years to come. Thank you very much.

Speech by FS at OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) presented a Special Hong Kong Award to an Italian company at the 19th China Awards in Milan, Italy on December 4 (Milan time).

The China Awards, organised by the Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF) annually, is one of the most influential business events in Italy. It recognises Italian companies that have grasped the opportunities in the Chinese market and vice versa, Chinese companies that have invested in Italy and engaged in strategic and innovative collaboration with Italian counterparts.

Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Fiona Li, commended the recipient of the Special Hong Kong Award, Venchi. This Italian confectionery company has expedited its expansion in Asia, leveraging Hong Kong's vibrant culinary landscape, strategic location and unmatched connectivity with Mainland China. "Its success in Hong Kong and in Asia speaks for itself that establishing a presence in Hong Kong is conducive to its market expansion. It is the testimony of the strengths of Hong Kong - our low and simple tax regime, free flow of capital, business-friendly environment, and advanced logistics and supply-chain management", Miss Li said.

The event offered an opportunity to put a quartet comprising of Hong Kong's musicians in the spotlight before 300 executives and senior representatives of top Italian and Chinese companies. The quartet, which was brought to the event by HKETO, Brussels to help give Hong Kong talents international exposure and to showcase Hong Kong as an international cultural exchange hub, had Grace Chan, double bass player; Isaac Lam, pianist; Melody Lau, violinist; and Emily Chan, soprano. Grace Chan was selected to participate in the Rome Chamber Music Festival's Young Artist Programme in June 2024.

Miss Li also highlighted the latest measures in the Policy Address to the Italian audiences on enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, including lowering the tariff on liquor. She elaborated that Hong Kong's distinctive advantages including an independent judiciary, a free trade and investment regime, and an efficient and clean government are kept under the "one country, two systems" principle as she encouraged Italian companies and talents to come to Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is and will remain your prime gateway to China and your most preferred partner in Asia", she added.

The ICCF is the largest Italy-China business association in Italy that facilitates collaboration between Italian and Chinese companies. The ICCF organises the annual China Awards in partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and with the support of the China Chamber of Commerce in Italy.

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases