Companies Registry releases statistics for first half of 2025
A total of 84,293 local companies were newly registered during the first half of 2025, according to the statistics released by the Companies Registry today (July 18). As at the end of June this year, the total number of local companies registered under the Companies Ordinance reached 1,494,806, which is an all-time high figure.
In the first half of 2025, 761 non-Hong Kong companies have newly established a place of business in Hong Kong and were registered under the Companies Ordinance. The total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies reached 15,509 by the end of June 2025, which is also an all-time high figure.
In line with the Government's policies on facilitating business as well as attracting enterprises and investments, two improvement measures for the Companies Ordinance came into operation during the first half of 2025. The first measure is the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which has become effective since April 17, 2025. It aims at enabling listed companies incorporated in Hong Kong to hold shares bought back in the treasury and dispose of them, and promoting paperless corporate communication for both listed and unlisted Hong Kong companies. The second measure is the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2025, which has become effective since May 23, 2025. It introduces a company re-domiciliation regime in Hong Kong that offers non-Hong Kong corporations a simple and cost-effective route to re-domicile to Hong Kong while preserving their legal identity and operational continuity.
The number of charges on properties of companies received for registration in the first half of 2025 was 5,970. The number of notifications of payments and releases received for registration in the same period was 9,915.
The number of documents delivered to the Registry for registration during the first six months of 2025 was 1,678,809.
A total of 2,615,652 searches of document image records were conducted using the Registry's electronic search services in the first half of 2025.
For limited partnership funds (LPFs), the number of new registration in the first half of 2025 was 116. The total number of LPFs by the end of June 2025 was 1,099.
For open-ended fund companies (OFCs), the number of new incorporation in the first half of 2025 was 109. The total number of OFCs by the end of June 2025 was 579.
As for the licensing of trust or company service providers, during the first half of 2025, 350 new licences were granted by the Registry. The total number of licensees was 6,971 as at the end of June.
For the licensing of money lenders, during the first half of 2025, 71 new licences were granted by the Licensing Court. The total number of licensed money lenders was 2,046 as at the end of June.
For details of the half-yearly statistics, please visit the "Statistics" section of the Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
Speech by PSCST at Celebrating Hong Kong's Tourism and Hospitality Excellence event
Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, at the Celebrating Hong Kong's Tourism and Hospitality Excellence event today (October 7):
Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam), Sonia (Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, Ms Sonia Cheng), distinguished guests, industry leaders, friends from the travel industry, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. I am delighted to be invited to join so many distinguished leaders from the tourism and hospitality sector this evening to celebrate the achievements of our industry. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Rosewood Hotel Group for cohosting tonight's event.
We gather to celebrate the outstanding achievements that continue to solidify Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city and the world's most prestigious travel destination. The global rankings speak for themselves. Leading the way is our gracious host, Rosewood Hotel Group, which has been honoured with the Most Admired Hotel Group Award; while Rosewood Hong Kong has retained its global No. 1 title in the World's 50 Best Hotels 2026. This is an exceptional double distinction and a powerful testimony of Rosewood's unwavering commitment to excellence. Rosewood's success is part of an outstanding showing by Hong Kong's hospitality sector, with our hotels standing proudly among the world's top 100 best hotels in 2026.
In gastronomy and mixology, six Hong Kong restaurants made Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026, while seven bars earned recognition in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Up in the skies, our home carrier Cathay Pacific was once again ranked among the top three World's Best Airlines, along with receiving awards for the World's Best Cabin Crew and World's Best First Class Airline Lounge at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
My warmest congratulations go to Rosewood, Cathay, and all the award winners. These awards do not come by chance. They are earned through continuous dedication and an unwavering commitment to quality. In a highly competitive global tourism landscape, it is the concerted efforts, resilience, and exceptional hospitality of the tourism and hospitality trade that truly set Hong Kong apart. It is your commitment to quality that defines the "Only in Hong Kong" experience, leaving a lasting impression on every traveller who sets foot in our city.
Building on this momentum, the Government is fully committed to providing the industry with our robust and unwavering backing. The Government has attached great importance to the strategic and long-term development of tourism in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030)) and the latest Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. Amongst others, the Government will regularise the additional annual funding provided to the Hong Kong Tourism Board for hosting flagship events, so as to allow the Hong Kong Tourism Board to exercise greater strategic foresight in its planning for long-term, forward-looking promotional strategies.
A prime example of these forward-looking promotional strategies is our new mega-event framework. To solidify Hong Kong's reputation as the events capital of Asia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will demarcate three themed periods every year, namely the International Arts Season, running from February to May; the Chinese Arts Season, from June to September; and the Festive Mega Events Season, from October through February of the following year. Leveraging this new framework, we aim to significantly boost visitor spending and extend their length of stay in Hong Kong, bringing benefits to every facet of the tourism and hospitality industry.
Ladies and gentlemen, while policy initiatives and government funding lay the foundation, it is your passion, creativity, and pursuit of excellence that bring these strategies to life. You transform them into an all-round and multidimensional quality travel experience for every visitor. The world-class recognitions we celebrate tonight prove beyond doubt that Hong Kong's hospitality standards remain unrivalled on the global stage.
As we look ahead, the Government will continue to walk hand in hand with the trade. We will continue to sharpen our competitive edge, nurture and develop our tourism products, and welcome the world with open arms and open hearts.
Thank you once again for your extraordinary partnership, your leadership, and your dedication to making Hong Kong shine. To enable visitors experience only in Hong Kong. Please enjoy this wonderful evening while sampling the level of excellence we are all so proud of.
