Hong Kong celebrated a surge in global enterprise investment at a welcome reception on June 25, where Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) revealed that 413 newly arrived or expanded overseas and Chinese Mainland companies are expected to bring over HK$53 billion (US$6.8 billion) in foreign direct investment and create more than 8,600 new jobs. The reception, attended by more than 380 representatives, underscored Hong Kong's continued attractiveness as a business hub.
Chief Executive John Lee highlighted Hong Kong's strong fundamentals, noting its ranking as the world's freest economy by the Fraser Institute and the second most competitive economy according to the latest IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. "In choosing Hong Kong for your Asian and global business expansion, you share my belief in Hong Kong's flourishing future," Lee said. "You have made a wise choice. Hong Kong is one of the world's best economies to do business in and with." Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong offers an open business environment, low taxes, and a common law system that connects seamlessly with global financial centers.
Company representatives echoed these sentiments. Austria-based logistics firm Gebrüder Weiss recently upgraded its Hong Kong office to a regional headquarters for East Asia and Oceania. Regional Director Michael Zankel noted, "The business environment is great, you have a lot of talent around here to employ. It has always been the gateway to the Chinese Mainland but for us it is more a gateway to Asia." Similarly, Merwann Younes from Italian company Moleskine described Hong Kong as "a very dynamic and creative city," aligning with the brand's core values. Etienne Dubois of Unlimitics, which developed an AI-powered school simulation game for neurodivergent children, praised Hong Kong as "a very good melting pot for talent and opportunities and for growth."
InvestHK's first-half 2026 results show a 9% increase in completed projects compared to the same period in 2025, with anticipated direct investment up 36% and new jobs created rising 6% year-on-year. Of the 413 enterprises, 246 came from the Chinese Mainland, followed by Singapore (26), the United States (21), the United Kingdom (18), France (11), and Italy (11). The top sectors include innovation and technology (93), financial services and fintech (89), tourism and hospitality (55), transport, logistics and industrials (44), and business and professional services (39).
Looking ahead, Chief Executive Lee highlighted the development of the Northern Metropolis as a new economic engine and the creation of Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan, focusing on long-term economic momentum, technology, and livelihoods. The investment promotion results are available at this link.
