On April 20, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) in Hong Kong held a signing ceremony to welcome a new cohort of 22 strategic enterprises establishing or expanding their presence in the city. These companies are projected to bring a combined investment of approximately HK$73 billion over the coming years, creating around 25,000 jobs, including high-end research and management positions, thereby injecting strong momentum into Hong Kong's industrial upgrading and talent development.
Many of these enterprises are corporate giants with market capitalizations exceeding HK$100 billion. The list includes global top-ten and top-twenty pharmaceutical companies, recognized as leaders in life and health technology. It also encompasses leaders in advanced microprocessor manufacturing, artificial general intelligence, smart mobility technology, innovative electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, leading low-altitude economy infrastructure, digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure, and internationally renowned game development.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan warmly welcomed the new cohort. At the ceremony, he stated, "Our strategic enterprises are continuously enriching Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem. Many have already established strategic collaborations with local universities, companies, and research institutions. Some are partnering with Hong Kong hospitals to implement cutting-edge technologies, improving patient treatment and care. Others are conducting trials of frontier technologies in Hong Kong, launching innovative applications in areas like autonomous driving and smart finance, using the city as a base to go global."
He noted that many previously attracted strategic enterprises have already set up global or regional headquarters and R&D centers in Hong Kong. They are actively establishing a presence in the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, leveraging the close connections and synergistic advantages with Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area as a whole.
"The establishment of these strategic enterprises creates a win-win situation," he said. "On one hand, they bring investment, create jobs, and introduce innovative applications that benefit society. On the other hand, Hong Kong provides these companies with the platform and connections needed to go global, including high-quality financial and professional services, as well as talent support."
He added, "This year's Budget proposed advancing the 'AI+' and 'Finance+' strategies. Regarding 'AI+', we will accelerate the application of artificial intelligence across different industries and explore how AI can further empower Hong Kong's innovation and research ecosystem. For 'Finance+', we will better leverage Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial center to support companies at different stages of growth. For instance, we are advancing further reforms to the listing regime to help technology companies raise capital in Hong Kong more effectively."
As one of the new strategic enterprises, Pfizer Inc. (PFE.US) pointed out that Hong Kong's world-class universities, exceptional R&D talent, and innovative drug registration systems such as the "1+" mechanism are key factors making the city an ideal gateway for pharmaceutical innovation and providing fertile ground for biopharmaceutical development, prompting Pfizer to deepen its investment in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Hygon Information Technology Co.,Ltd. (688041.SH), a leading manufacturer of high-end processors (CPUs) and accelerator (DCU) units with a market capitalization exceeding HK$500 billion, emphasized its intention to use Hong Kong as a strategic base for promoting a domestic computing ecosystem. It plans to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages to expand its business, empower "new quality productive forces," and promote the high-quality development of the digital industry.
Furthermore, global leading eVTOL technology innovator AutoFlight stated that Hong Kong, as a "super connector" linking Mainland China and international markets, is an ideal gateway for business expansion. It will actively promote the directions outlined in the "15th Five-Year Plan" for advancing new industrialization and smart mobility in Hong Kong.
Leading circular economy industry enterprise Zhuanzhuan Group stated it will use Hong Kong as a global hub, deploying core technologies and deepening cooperation to establish a benchmark for green technology and innovation. It aims to promote smart city and digital economic development, helping China's circular economy model reach the world.
OASES Director Simon Wong noted that half of the new cohort of strategic enterprises are from overseas, fully demonstrating that Hong Kong remains the preferred location for industry giants even in a complex global environment. He stated that these strategic enterprises will become powerful engines driving economic growth and industrial development, consolidating Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between Mainland China and the international stage.
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