The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce proposes that the SAR government adopt a three-stage strategy in the upcoming Policy Address.

The leadership of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce met with Deputy Financial Secretary Edward Yau Tang-wah on July 22 to submit a proposal regarding the upcoming Policy Address. Chamber of Commerce Chairman Shirley Yuet-ching and several directors attended the meeting. She stated that in the face of changing geopolitical situations and global economic uncertainties, Hong Kong must consolidate its international status and create a favorable business environment. In the current environment, building confidence to maintain Hong Kong's position as a reliable global hub is crucial. To achieve this, the Chamber of Commerce proposed a three-stage strategy: taking immediate action to build confidence, accelerating the transformation into a smart city as a medium-term goal, and establishing resilience in the long run. She cited the Chamber of Commerce's recently published "Asian City Internationalization Index," which showed Hong Kong as the most internationalized major city in Asia. This index and surveys conducted by other international organizations provide valuable data to help strengthen Hong Kong's confidence and international competitiveness. This will help attract more international institutions and key enterprises to Hong Kong, promoting the development of headquarters economy. In the face of rapid technological developments and economic transformation, Hong Kong must align with future economic development and cultivate talent to meet demand. While it is important to attract talents from around the world, priority should also be given to investing in the development of local talents to cultivate a high-tech workforce. She stated that to maintain competitiveness, Hong Kong must accelerate digital innovation development, invest in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and the low-altitude economy, promote innovation across various industries, and enhance efficiency. Another major proposal is to implement efficient environmental policies while improving both the environment and economic performance. Promoting a circular economy and improving quality of life will support population growth and attract and retain local and international talents. In addition, authorities should actively address population challenges through policies on population and healthcare. She said: We also appreciate the government's firm commitment to improving governance and support its efforts to enhance confidence and certainty for Hong Kong.