Hong Kong Sees Record Company Registrations in 2025, Totaling Over 1.5 Million

Companies Registry releases statistics for 2025

According to the statistics released by the Companies Registry today (January 16), a total of 195,343 local companies and re-domiciled companies were newly registered in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of local companies and re-domiciled companies registered under the Companies Ordinance increased by 96,609 compared to 2024, reaching 1,557,103, which was an all-time high figure.

The Companies Registry, Photo source: online image

In 2025, 1,532 non-Hong Kong companies that had newly established a place of business in Hong Kong were registered under the Companies Ordinance. By the end of 2025, the total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies was 15,586, up 3 per cent compared to 2024.

The company re-domiciliation regime, implemented since May 23, 2025, has received a positive market response. By the end of 2025, the Registry had received over 420 enquiries and 30 applications. Among these, six non-Hong Kong corporations incorporated in Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands or Bermuda, including an insurance company, have been successfully re-domiciled to Hong Kong. The regime provides a simple and cost-effective pathway for non-Hong Kong incorporated companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong by eliminating the need for complicated and costly judicial procedures while preserving a company's legal identity. It ensures seamless business continuity and strengthens the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a global business and financial hub.

In 2025, the number of charges on properties of companies received for registration was 12,912, which was 6.4 per cent up from 12,137 in 2024. The number of notifications of payments and releases received for registration increased by 14.2 per cent, from 18,201 in 2024 to 20,789 in 2025.

In 2025, a total of 180 prospectuses were registered while the figure recorded in 2024 was 157.

In 2025, the total number of documents delivered for registration increased by 7 per cent to 3,360,723, compared to 3,139,906 in 2024.

In 2025, a total of 5,229,202 searches of document image records were conducted using the Registry's electronic search services, an increase of 0.7 per cent from 5,194,865 in 2024.

On the registration of limited partnership funds (LPFs), a total of 389 LPFs were newly registered in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of LPFs increased by 35.1 per cent compared to the end of 2024, to 1,347.

For open-ended fund companies (OFCs), 210 OFCs were newly incorporated in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of OFCs increased by 43.2 per cent compared to the end of 2024, to 676.

As regards the licensing of trust or company service providers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance, a total of 760 new licences were granted by the Registry in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of licensees was 7,220.

Turning to the licensing of money lenders, 155 new licences were granted by the Licensing Court in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of licensed money lenders was 2,015.

For details of the statistics, please visit the "Statistics" section of the Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk).

Photo source: reference image

Appointments to Construction Industry Council announced

The Government today (January 16) announced the reappointment of Professor Thomas Ho On-sing as the chairperson of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) for a one-year term, the appointment of six new non-official members, and the reappointment of 10 incumbent non-official members for a two-year term. These appointments, made by the Secretary for Development in accordance with Section 9 of the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (Cap. 587), are published in the Government Gazette today and will take effect from February 1, 2026.

Professor Thomas Ho On-sing, Photo source: FB of Construction Industry Council

The new non-official members are Mr Chau Sze-kit, Mr Paul Lau Siu-wing, Mr Robin Leung Chi-tim, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Wong Po-cheung, and Mr Yu Wai-wai. The reappointed non-official members are Mr Marvin Chen, Professor Jack Cheng Chin-pang, Mr Victor Cheung Chi-kong, Mr Danny Hung Cheung-shew, Mr Clarence Leung Wai-kin, Mr Simon Liu Sing-pang, Mr Kevin Ma Hok-ming, Mr Lawrence Ng San-wa, Mr Edwin Tong Ka-hung, and Mr Emil Yu Chen-on.

A spokesman for the Development Bureau said, "We welcome the new members and look forward to working closely with the CIC for the continuous development of the construction industry. We also thank the six outgoing members, namely Mr Thomas Ho Kwok-kwan, Mr Kan Jun, Mr Kwok Hing-wun, Mr Ricky Leung Wing-kee, Mr Tse Wang-yu, and Mr Andrew Young Meng-cheung, for their contributions to the CIC and the construction industry."

The CIC is a statutory body established in February 2007 with the mission to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues concerning the construction industry, convey the needs and aspirations of the industry to the Government, and provide a channel for the Government to solicit advice on all construction-related matters. It also collaborates with the industry to launch various training and caring schemes for industry practitioners, including its work in enhancing construction site safety and strengthening training to address the manpower needs.

Membership of the CIC as from February 1, 2026, will be as follows:

Chairperson

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Professor Thomas Ho On-sing

Members

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Professor Albert Chan Ping-chuen

Mr Chau Sze-kit

Mr Marvin Chen

Professor Jack Cheng Chin-pang

Mr Victor Cheung Chi-kong

Mr Danny Hung Cheung-shew

Mr Paul Lau Siu-wing

Mr Dominic Law Tik-ko

Mr Robin Leung Chi-tim

Mr Clarence Leung Wai-kin

Mr Simon Liu Sing-pang

Dr Lo Wai-kwok

Mr Kevin Ma Hok-ming

Mr Mow Tai-hing

Mr Lawrence Ng San-wa

Professor Alfred Sit Wing-hang

Mr Edwin Tong Ka-hung

Mr Wong Po-cheung

Mr Rex Wong Siu-han

Mr Emil Yu Chen-on

Mr Yu Wai-wai

Permanent Secretary for Development (Works)

Permanent Secretary for Housing

Director of Buildings