Nearly 80pc of mainland firms pick Hong Kong as global expansion base: Deloitte

Nearly 80 percent of Chinese mainland companies have chosen Hong Kong as their base for global business expansion, Deloitte said on Wednesday, as the city strengthens its role as a key platform for firms "going global".

Deloitte launched a handbook for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas and established a dedicated overseas expansion task force in Hong Kong to support the government's policy of reinforcing the city's position as an international expansion hub.

The company said the trend has evolved from simple "product export" to "value chain export", with companies now exporting comprehensive capabilities including technology, brand, and management expertise. The sectors driving this expansion have broadened to include high-end manufacturing, digital economy, healthcare, green energy, artificial intelligence, and the low-altitude economy.

ASEAN nations, Latin American countries, and Belt and Road regions have become key investment destinations, Deloitte noted. 

Last year, China's outbound direct investment exceeded US$190 billion (HK$1.48 trillion), an 8 percent year-on-year increase, with investment into ASEAN and Belt and Road countries growing by nearly 40 percent and over 20 percent respectively.