Hong Kong awaits HK$30b of investments after signing agreements with strategic enterprises

The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has successfully drawn some 30 mainland and overseas enterprises to set foot in Hong Kong as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed HK$30 billion worth of investments and some 10,000 jobs at the Wednesday commencement ceremony. 

The SAR government this afternoon signed agreements with the first batch of some 20 enterprises, including Covid vaccine maker AstraZeneca, Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co Ltd, Huawei, Lenovo, Meituan, and JD.com. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Lee said the opportunities brought by these enterprises will help promote Hong Kong as the innovation and technology hub. He also said under the support of China’s 14th five-year plan, the SAR serves as a bridge to actively connect mainland and overseas enterprises. 

Lee said he have high hopes in fostering the development of participating enterprises as well. 

From land to employees’ visa and their children’s education, the OASES can provide one-stop services to cater enterprises’ every need, Lee added. 

Lee also said the office’s shortened form OASES means “oasis” and further explained that Hong Kong is an oasis surrounded by not deserts but mainland and Asia, which are viewed as the powerhouse for global economic growth. 

Lee continued that Hong Kong is the only Asian city that has five world’s top 100 universities and the government aims that over 35 percent of university students study STEAM subjects in the next four years. 

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said although 80 percent of enterprises are from the mainland, people shouldn’t categorize these companies based on their registered regions as their businesses are international. 

Chan added that Hong Kong has perfected financial services, capital goods, free flow of information, reliable legal system and convenient access and mainland and global market. 

The Central Government also welcomes all strategic enterprises to develop in the Northern Metropolis, Chan said.