SITI Strengthens Hong Kong-Slovakia Ties Through Innovation and Technology Collaboration During Visit to Slovakia

SITI commences visit to Slovakia

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, commences his visit to Bratislava, Slovakia, in the afternoon of September 22 (Bratislava time).

Professor Sun met with the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, Mr Samuel Migal', and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. Professor Sun said that Hong Kong is keenly interested in strengthening ties with the fast-growing Central and Eastern European region, including the Slovak Republic. The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science, Research and Innovation, signed in April 2025 by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Slovak Republic Government, has laid an important institutional foundation. He looks forward to enhancing collaboration of enterprises, start-ups, higher education institutions, and research institutes in both places. He was briefed on the Slovak development in AI and smart city. The Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Hong Kong, Mr Willy Lin, also attended the meeting.

Professor Sun then met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency, Mr Egon Zorad, to learn about the Agency's professional services in promoting investments and invite Slovak enterprises to establish operations in Hong Kong. Under the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, the Agency is Slovakia's national agency responsible for promoting foreign investments and handling foreign business affairs, tasked with attracting foreign investments, promoting foreign trade, and assisting the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises.

On September 23, Professor Sun met with the State Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy of the Slovak Republic, Ms Alena Sabelová, to learn about the latest development of Slovakia in innovation and technology (I&T) areas including AI and robotics industry, start-ups ecosystem and traditional industry and the relevant policies. Professor Sun said that Hong Kong, with unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, serves as an important gateway connecting the world and the Chinese Mainland and is striving to develop into an international I&T centre. He said that there is an immense opportunity for collaboration between Hong Kong and Slovakia. Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science, Research and Innovation between the two governments, Professor Sun expects the enhanced exchanges between scientific research institutes, scientific and technological talent and enterprises in both places, and the promotion of co-operation in scientific research and innovation as well as the transfer of technology and innovation outcomes, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of the two places.

Professor Sun then visited the Slovak National Innovation and Technology Centre, which was converted from a large shopping outlet. Professor Sun learned about the centre's efforts in combining the strengths of the Government, academia and research institutions as well as the industry to promote technology transfer, industrial innovation and commercial applications, with a focus on sustainable growth and production process modernisation. The centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Productivity Council in September 2025 to forge closer ties in I&T development, while facilitating talent nurturing and enterprises to go global.

In the afternoon, Professor Sun visited the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, which is the country's leading modern research university dedicated to technical, engineering, and architectural disciplines. He was briefed about the university's industrial partnerships, intellectual property commercialisation, technology transfer ecosystems, and strategic institutional development projects.

Professor Sun also visited Innovatrics to learn about its latest research and development technologies and business development. Headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, Innovatrics is an independent, European-based provider of trusted biometric identity management solutions.

After concluding his visit that day, Professor Sun proceeded to Vienna, Austria, in the late afternoon to continue his visit.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (first left), visited the laboratory at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava on September 23 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (fourth right), visited the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava on September 23 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (centre), visited Innovatrics to learn about its latest research and development technologies and business development in Bratislava on September 23 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third left), visited the Slovak National Innovation and Technology Centre on September 23 (Bratislava time). The centre was converted from a large shopping outlet. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third right), visited the Slovak National Innovation and Technology Centre on September 23 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third left), met with the State Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy of the Slovak Republic, Ms Alena Sabelová (second right), on September 23 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), met with the State Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy of the Slovak Republic, Ms Alena Sabelová (right), on September 23 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second left), met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency, Mr Egon Zorad (second right), on September 22 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second right), met with the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, Mr Samuel Migal' (fourth left), on September 22 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), met with the Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, Mr Samuel Migal' (right), on September 22 (Bratislava time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SFST at Family Office Summit in Hong Kong

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the session "Local Insights - Hong Kong's Commitment to Building the Family Office Ecosystem" of the Family Office Summit in Hong Kong today (November 12):

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui. Photo source: reference image

Emanuele (Joseph L Gidwitz Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (Chicago Booth), Mr Emanuele Colonnelli), John (Director of the Institute of Politics of the University of Chicago, Mr John Kirby), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is an absolute privilege to join you today at the Chicago Booth Hong Kong campus for the inauguration of the Family Office Summit in Hong Kong. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Chicago Booth and its Family Office Initiative for choosing Hong Kong as your very first host location outside the United States. This choice is a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong. It also reflects the growing recognition that Hong Kong is not only an international financial centre, but also a leading global hub for family offices, cross-boundary wealth management, innovation and long-term value creation.

Hong Kong is now the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management centre. We are proud of this position, but we do not take it for granted. We see it as a responsibility to provide a stable, transparent and trusted platform where global capital can meet Asian opportunities, and where families can plan not only for this generation, but for generations to come.

In an increasingly complex and uncertain world, Hong Kong delivers a predictable and forward-looking environment where wealth can thrive amid uncertainty. Our common law system, free flow of capital, simple and competitive tax regime, deep capital markets, robust regulatory framework and unrivalled connectivity with both the Chinese Mainland and global markets give families the confidence to plan, invest and build for the long term.

Hong Kong's asset and wealth management business reached US$5.4 trillion as at the end of 2025. Importantly, 54 per cent of the funding came from investors outside Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. This demonstrates Hong Kong's role as a trusted bridge between global capital and opportunities across Asia.

Hong Kong's private banking and private wealth management business attributable to family offices and private trust clients also amounted to US$272 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 37 per cent. This is clear evidence that family capital is increasingly choosing Hong Kong as its home.

The results speak for themselves. The Government set a target to facilitate at least 200 family offices to set up operations or expand their business in Hong Kong between 2022 and 2025, and we achieved this target ahead of schedule. According to research findings early this year, there were more than 3 380 single family offices operating in Hong Kong as at the end of 2025. This represents an increase of about 680 offices over the past two years, or growth of more than 25 per cent.

This is not simply a number. Behind every family office are entrepreneurs, innovators, philanthropists, next-generation leaders and long-term investors. Their presence strengthens Hong Kong's financial ecosystem, creates high-value jobs, supports professional services, and contributes to the vibrancy of our economy. In fact, the latest market study estimates that single family offices in Hong Kong contribute approximately US$1.6 billion annually to the local economy through operating expenditure alone, and directly employ more than 10 000 full-time professionals. I am sure some of them are here today.

Hong Kong's success is not accidental. In March 2023, the Government issued the Policy Statement on Developing Family Office Businesses in Hong Kong, setting out our policy stance and a comprehensive set of measures to develop a conducive and competitive environment for global family offices and asset owners.

Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image

First, we have introduced profits-tax exemption for family-owned investment holding vehicles, managed by single family offices in Hong Kong, with effect from any year of assessment commencing on or after April 1, 2022.

We are now taking this further. We have introduced legislation to further enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices and carried interest, which we aim to pass by the end of this year. The proposed enhancements will expand the types of qualifying investments eligible for tax concessions, including loans and private credit, digital assets, precious metals and more. Our aim is to broaden the investment options available to family offices and ensure that Hong Kong remains at the forefront of evolving investment trends.

Second, we established the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy in November 2023 under the Financial Services Development Council. The Academy provides a platform for collaboration, networking, knowledge sharing and relevant training for the family office sector, asset owners and wealth inheritors.

Third, we launched the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme in March 2024 to further enrich Hong Kong's talent pool and attract more capital. Over 5 000 applications have been received since the launch of the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. If all applications are approved, they are expected to bring over HK$150 billion, or around US$19 billion, to Hong Kong. This serves as a clear pathway for more family offices and high-calibre talent to settle in the city.

Looking ahead, the Government will strive to further facilitate at least 220 family offices to set up operations or expand their business in Hong Kong from 2026 to 2028, and our previous target was 200, now we have increased by 10 per cent. This is an ambitious target, but we are confident. With our multipronged approach, and the concerted efforts of the Government, regulators and the industry, Hong Kong will continue to flourish as a leading family office hub in the region.

Lastly, I would also like to recognise the important role of the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth's Family Office Initiative. Research, education and international dialogue are essential to the long-term development of the family office sector. We look forward to working with Chicago Booth, its faculty, alumni and global network to deepen research, nurture talent, and foster a new generation of responsible stewards of family capital.

Family offices are not only custodians of wealth. They are custodians of values, knowledge and responsibility across generations. Hong Kong is committed to being a place where those values can flourish.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong's commitment is clear. We welcome family offices from around the globe to set up in Hong Kong, tap into our unique advantages, and seize the immense opportunities. We invite you to see Hong Kong not merely as an investment destination, but as a long-term home for your families, your capital, your ideas and your legacy. Thank you.

Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image