Edward Yau: Hong Kong provides financial support and empowers technological development to help build a more dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

On February 4, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, Paul Chan Mo-po, attended the Smart Insights 2026 event organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council. During his speech, he mentioned that Hong Kong actively serves the national innovation and technology development by providing financial support and empowering the tech sector. Hong Kong is grasping the new opportunities to connect with the nation's "14th Five-Year Plan." He also mentioned that Hong Kong has a complete financial ecosystem to support the needs of tech companies at different stages of development. Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted that Hong Kong's new stock market led globally last year, with 119 companies listing and raising over HK$280 billion. Around 70% of these funds were raised by companies in sectors like information technology, biotechnology, new energy, and advanced industries. Hong Kong has been reforming its market to encourage more tech companies to go public and the recent Chapter 18C reform has made it easier for hard-tech companies to list. Apart from the stock market, Hong Kong also has a thriving private equity and venture capital ecosystem, second only to mainland China in Asia. When it comes to mobilizing more funds for emerging and future industries, especially in the high-risk tech sector, Paul Chan Mo-po emphasized the need to construct "patient capital" to guide investment in early-stage, long-term, and hard tech companies. Hong Kong Investment Corporation has played a leading role in this regard, having invested in over 170 projects, leveraging over six times the market funds for every HK$1 invested. These investments span areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and green technology. Over the past few years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has heavily invested in research institutions and technology, resulting in a vibrant tech ecosystem in Hong Kong. The number of startups in Hong Kong surpassed 5,200 last year, marking an 11% increase and reaching a historical high. The government has introduced various initiatives to support different stages of the tech ecosystem, including the "One-for-One Reindustrialization Program" and the "Manufacturing Transformation and Upgrading Support Scheme." To accelerate tech development and industry clustering, leading tech companies play a vital role. Various government bureaus and offices have been working diligently to attract global tech companies to Hong Kong. For instance, the InvestHK office has drawn over 100 companies in the past three years, bringing in investments exceeding HK$60 billion and creating 22,000 research and management positions. The development of the tech industry requires land support, and the Northern Metropolis (Northern Metropolis) is essential for Hong Kong's tech development and collaboration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Hong Kong SAR Government is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis to attract high-potential enterprises and high-value industries. The recently opened He Tao Deep Bay Area Hong Kong Park is set to facilitate the smooth flow of personnel, materials, funds, and data between the Shenzhen Park and Hong Kong Park. In terms of talent cultivation, Hong Kong adopts a dual-track approach by nurturing local tech talent through universities and attracting global talents to the city. Despite current geopolitical challenges, many Chinese scientists and engineers are willing to develop their careers in Hong Kong. In addition to various talent attraction programs, Hong Kong has launched a HK$3 billion "Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme" to support local universities in attracting top international research leaders to build Hong Kong as an international hub for high-end talent. In the future, Hong Kong will continue to actively align with national development strategies, promote the deep integration of technology innovation and industrial innovation, strengthen the connection between technology and industry, encourage increased R&D investment, expand the application of technology, and propel the economy towards a high-value, diversified future.