InvestHK's Director-General Promotes Hong Kong as Global Business Hub in Zhengzhou Visit

Director-General of InvestHK visits Henan to promote new opportunities for Mainland enterprises to go global via Hong Kong

The Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Ms Alpha Lau, completed her official visit to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, which took place from May 19 to 21. During the visit, she promoted to local government departments, enterprises, and the media the new opportunities for Mainland enterprises to go global using Hong Kong as a platform, aiming to deepen synergy and co-operation between Henan and Hong Kong to jointly capture global business opportunities.

This mission featured a seminar titled "Henan-Hong Kong Join Hands to Sail Global" yesterday (May 20) that attracted approximately 320 participants from different sectors in Henan Province. Co-organised by InvestHK, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province, the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, the seminar was joined by Ms Lau; Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission Ms Chen Jing; Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Mr Sun Zhaomin; and the Director of the Henan Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, Mr Bob Chui.

Ms Lau stated in her opening speech at the seminar, "Hong Kong and Henan enjoy a long-term partnership. Hong Kong is the largest contributor of foreign investment to Henan, and Henan has the highest number of enterprises from the Central Region that have gone for an IPO (initial public offering) in Hong Kong. The ties between Hong Kong and Henan are growing stronger." She noted, "InvestHK has spared no effort in aligning its strategies with the National 15th Five-Year Plan through continued investment promotion and facilitation efforts. Following our promotion of Hong Kong as a cross-boundary supply chain management centre to Henan last year, we are setting a higher benchmark this year. We aim to elevate Hong Kong's role from a supply chain hub into a premier springboard and platform for Henan enterprises looking to expand globally. As a core member of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, InvestHK stands ready to fully support Henan enterprises in leveraging Hong Kong to scale their businesses internationally."

Ms Chen said in her remarks, "As a major economic and populous province, Henan offers a massive market and excellent transport links. Hong Kong is Henan's largest source of foreign investment and its premier offshore financing platform. Hong Kong-backed enterprises account for about 70 per cent of foreign capital in Henan, and Henan's investments in Hong Kong account for over 40 per cent of its total outbound investment. There remains great potential for collaboration between Henan and Hong Kong. On the inbound side, Henan will host targeted matchmaking events to better connect supply and industrial chains, with a focus on attracting Hong Kong companies in finance, technology, and low-carbon sectors. On the outbound front, Henan will support the China Henan International Cooperation Group in building a service ecosystem for local firms going global, including setting up special funds and backing well-run, reputable companies. By leveraging Hong Kong's financial system, legal environment, and global networks, Henan aims to help its enterprises succeed overseas while advancing high-quality, open development."

The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of InvestHK Wuhan Office, Mr Zhou Yikai, delivered a keynote speech on Hong Kong's business environment and development trends. He highlighted Hong Kong's core strengths in finance, law, talent, and global reach. Drawing on recent policies and statistics, he outlined InvestHK's one-stop customised services for Mainland enterprises and encouraged Henan companies to use Hong Kong as a springboard for overseas expansion.

To further elaborate on Hong Kong's professional strengths for Henan enterprises, and better help them leverage Hong Kong as a platform to go global, InvestHK invited experts to share their insights. The Chairman of Yushang International Business Management (Zhengzhou) Co Ltd, Mr Zhang Wei, introduced how the China Henan International CooperationGroup connects Henan companies with the resources they need to go global. The Secretary-General of the Treasury Centre Committee of the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, Mr Sean Sun, Partner of Deloitte China Tax & BusinessAdvisory Services Mr Leo Zhu, and Hong Kong office Partner of Haiwen & Partners Mr Edward Liu each drew on their expertise in their respective fields to provide practical guidance for Henan enterprises going global by leveraging Hong Kong's professional services.

Following the seminar, Ms Lau met with the leaders of the Henan Provincial Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and had detailed exchanges of views with them on Hong Kong and Henan business co-operation opportunities.

Ms Lau's visit in Zhengzhou also included meetings with local financial institutions and leading enterprises in information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, and intelligent computing. During these visits, she discussed with corporate leaders their plans to establish or expand businesses in Hong Kong.

The promotion event in Zhengzhou marks the 10th city visited by the GoGlobal Task Force on the Chinese Mainland for investment promotion since its establishment in October 2025.

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan, in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province and the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, jointly organised the "Henan-Hong Kong Join Hands to Sail Global" seminar yesterday (May 20) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau (left), visiting a Henan enterprise. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong and the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan, in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province and the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, jointly organised the "Henan-Hong Kong Join Hands to Sail Global" seminar yesterday (May 20) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Photo shows Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission Ms Chen Jing delivering a speech. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan, in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province and the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, jointly organised the "Henan-Hong Kong Join Hands to Sail Global" seminar yesterday (May 20) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau (fourth left); Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Mr Sun Zhaomin (fourth right); Deputy Director of the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission Ms Chen Jing (third left); and the Director of the Henan Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, Mr Bob Chui (third right), with speakers at the seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan, in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Henan Province and the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, jointly organised the "Henan-Hong Kong Join Hands to Sail Global" seminar yesterday (May 20) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, delivering a welcome speech at the seminar, promoting the advantages for Mainland enterprises using Hong Kong to go global. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

IMF commends Hong Kong's resilient economic growth and financial system

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Mission published last week the Concluding Statement on the 2026 Article IV Consultation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Following the IMF Executive Board's conclusion of its discussion, the IMF will publish a Staff Report shortly to elaborate on its assessment, commending Hong Kong's resilient economic growth and financial system, and reaffirming the city's position as an international financial centre with advanced digital finance initiatives to position the financial sector at the forefront of regulated innovation in Asia.

The IMF notes that Hong Kong's economy has continued to recover, with growth in 2025 stronger than expected. Reaffirming Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre, the IMF underscores its "super connector" role as a key advantage, while recognising that Hong Kong has advanced digital finance initiatives to position its financial sector at the forefront of regulated innovation in Asia, and has strengthened its role as a regional sustainable finance hub. The IMF acknowledges that policy initiatives, including the development of the Northern Metropolis, can further strengthen cross-boundary integration, support innovation and promote high value-added services.

The IMF recognises that Hong Kong's financial system, supported by strong buffers and robust regulatory oversight, remains resilient, and the risks are manageable. The Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS) remains appropriate and continues to serve as a credible anchor for economic and financial stability. The IMF also commends the efforts in strengthening the monitoring framework for the non-bank financial institution sector, as well as enhancing systemic risk assessments and market-wide monitoring of higher-risk activities.

The IMF considers the fiscal stance in 2026 as appropriate, and highlights that Hong Kong's strong macroeconomic policy framework, anchored by the credibility of the LERS, a record of prudent fiscal management, robust financial regulation and flexible markets, provides a solid foundation for rebuilding fiscal buffers in the medium term.

The IMF Staff Mission visited Hong Kong from March 16 to 27. Discussions were held with HKSAR Government officials, financial regulators and private sector representatives. The Concluding Statement of the Mission's assessment was published on May 15. The Staff Report was endorsed by the IMF Executive Board on May 18.

The IMF's press release on the Staff Report is available at www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/05/22/pr26168-hong-kong-sar-imf-executive-board-concludes-2026-article-iv-consultation-discussions. The Staff Report can be accessed from the websites of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (www.fstb.gov.hk) and the IMF (www.imf.org) after its publication.

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