HKGCC Welcomes Comprehensive Five-Year Plan and Policy Address to Unlock Opportunities and Shape a Brighter Future

For Immediate Release

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) welcomes the Hong Kong SAR Government’s First Five-Year Plan alongside the Chief Executive’s latest Policy Address. Representing “a strategic vision for a bright new era, driving reform and boosting development, unleashing opportunities and enhancing livelihood”, these two inextricably linked documents provide a comprehensive roadmap for the city’s next phase of growth.

“This First Five-Year Plan is a forward-looking blueprint of profound significance”, said HKGCC Chairman Jacob Kam. “Coupled with the Policy Address, it provides clear, strategic directions for comprehensively advancing our city—from accelerating the Northern Metropolis, driving tech innovation, and bolstering our financial core, to deepening Greater Bay Area integration, promoting cultural and green living, and enhancing social livelihoods. We are pleased to see that many of the recommendations from our submissions for Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address have been adopted by the Government. This will help drive robust economic growth and create broader opportunities for the business community, ultimately shaping a brighter future for Hong Kong.”

Expediting Northern Metropolis Development: Building a Premier GBA Innovation and Economic Hub

The Chamber welcomes the development of the Northern Metropolis as a globally recognised work-live-travel destination, underpinned by a “planning-oriented, infrastructure-led, industry-driven and people-centric approach”. Part and parcel of this approach includes strengthening both digital and transport infrastructure, enhancing local and cross-boundary connectivity, promoting industry participation through diversified development models and public-private partnerships, advancing the coordinated development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone) to facilitate innovation and secure cross-boundary flows of talent, materials, capital and data, and expanding the University Town to over 1,000 hectares to foster deeper integration of education, technology, industry and talent development.

Consolidating Hong Kong’s Competitiveness as an International Financial Centre through “Four Centres and One Hub”

We strongly support advancing “Finance+” and strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial, maritime, aviation, trade and innovation hub. We welcome initiatives to drive financial innovation, including digital assets and tokenisation, enhance Hong Kong’s role in maritime finance, insurance and sustainable financing, and expand financing support for innovative enterprises and commodity trading development. We also support measures to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a premier cross-boundary wealth management centre and global offshore RMB hub, attract regional headquarters and corporate treasury centres, advance smart and green maritime transformation and aviation connectivity with the GBA. We also welcome accelerating the development of key innovation and technology platforms such as the Hetao Co-operation Zone and San Tin Technopole, strengthening R&D investment and innovation ecosystems, and promoting Hong Kong’s development as a leading international medical and health innovation hub through deeper cross-boundary collaboration in clinical trials and research resources.

Building a Future-Ready AI Economy and Workforce

We are pleased to note the Government’s commitment to accelerating the development and deployment of artificial intelligence through a dual-track approach that promotes “industries for AI” and “AI for industries”. We support efforts to advance innovation in strategic sectors aligned with national development priorities, including life and health technology, AI and robotics, microelectronics, new energy and advanced manufacturing. In addition, we agree with the Government’s strengthened support for SME digital transformation through flexible capacity-building initiatives, targeted funding and business support measures to help enterprises capture opportunities arising from emerging technologies and enhance their long-term competitiveness.

Enhancing Social Well-being and Development: Elevating “Study in Hong Kong” and Silver Tech to Tackle Demographic Shift

We welcome the Government’s holistic approach to reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a leading education, talent and innovation hub, driven by stronger synergies among education, technology and talent development, proactive talent attraction and retention strategies, and the promotion of Hong Kong as a premier international study destination through the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. We further support expanded youth and professional exchanges with the Chinese Mainland, the development of the silver economy as a new growth driver, and the application of artificial intelligence and digital solutions to improve healthcare outcomes and service efficiency.

Strengthening Hong Kong’s Role as a Global “Super Connector” and “Super Value-Adder”

We look forward to the deepening of Hong Kong’s regional and international economic integration through the further enhancement of CEPA, the expansion of market access opportunities in the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong’s accession to RCEP to strengthen connectivity with regional and global markets. We support measures to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as the preferred international platform for Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding overseas, leveraging the city’s professional services, financing capabilities, and high value-added logistics and supply chain networks. In addition, we look forward to closer innovation and technology collaboration within the GBA, including facilitating the cross-boundary flow of talent, research resources, data and other innovation factors to promote deeper regional integration and innovation-driven growth.

Enhancing Hong Kong’s Position as a World-Class Events and Tourism Destination

Strengthening Hong Kong’s international brand as a premier global destination requires compelling visitor experiences and vibrant cross-sector partnerships, and the Chamber welcomes initiatives in this aspect. We are encouraged by measures to attract visitors from emerging and high-growth markets, diversify tourism experiences and enhance inclusivity through Muslim-friendly initiatives. Looking ahead, the Chamber calls for continued investment in yacht and marina infrastructure to support the growth of high-value marine tourism and related business opportunities.

The Chamber backs the Chief Executive’s comprehensive strategy as a robust foundation for sustainable development that clarifies our direction, optimises resources, and delivers market certainty. We stand ready to actively partner with all stakeholders to reinforce our role as a vibrant commercial gateway and build a more resilient, innovative, and prosperous future for Hong Kong.

About Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC)

For 165 years, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business, growing together with Hong Kong and the business community. Our mission is to promote, represent and safeguard the interests of the business community in Hong Kong, and at the same time provide support, networks, training and business services to help the business community grow. For more details, please visit www.chamber.org.hk.

Media inquiries: Please contact Mr Jonathan Man at 2823-1229 / [email protected]