Vision to action: industry upgrade and global ambition | FHKI Industry Connect | Ricky Chan, Executive Deputy Chairman of FHKI

The recent conclusion of the “two sessions” and the broader goals of the 15th Five-Year Plan outline a clear mandate for Hong Kong: to evolve from a traditional gateway into a proactive facilitator connecting China with global markets.

To successfully realize this national vision and drive high-quality economic growth, Hong Kong must fully leverage its competitive advantage of “One Country, Two Systems” while embracing the collaborative model of “Government, Industry, Academia, Research, and Investment.” This multi-sector synergy is essential for translating strategic blueprints into tangible business results.

The foundation of this model relies on robust policy and capital support. The latest Budget aligns directly with the national direction by outlining targeted initiatives to advance Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem. Through government injections into industrial parks and public-private venture capital partnerships, we are laying the groundwork for emerging sectors like AI+ and life sciences. The Northern Metropolis, now recognized as a strategic hub in national planning, serves as the physical engine for this growth, requiring accelerated development and cross-border coordination.

Yet, infrastructure alone is insufficient without world-class talent and innovation. Hong Kong is home to several of the world’s top universities, providing an exceptional pipeline for basic research and high-caliber professionals. By deepening our regulatory alignment with Shenzhen and Qianhai, we can facilitate a smoother, secure cross-border flow of talent, data, and resources. This allows us to seamlessly combine Hong Kong’s academic excellence with the Greater Bay Area’s applied research capabilities, building a comprehensive, globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

Ultimately, industrial upgrading requires robust market application, which is where the Federation of Hong Kong Industries plays a pivotal role. As a vital bridge, FHKI leverages its extensive network to achieve critical synergies across all five sectors. We link academic breakthroughs with industrial manufacturing, connect tech start-ups with vital investment capital, and work alongside the Government to shape effective policies. Under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, Hong Kong is uniquely backed by the motherland while maintaining internationally aligned legal and financial systems, providing the ideal springboard for businesses expanding globally.

FHKI’s “Global Connect” initiative exemplifies this collaborative approach. Complementing the Government’s newly established cross-sectoral professional services platform, we leverage strategic alignments and joint efforts to provide end-to-end support for enterprises navigating new markets. As Hong Kong seizes the opportunities presented by the two sessions and the Budget, harnessing the combined power of government, industry, academia, research, and investment will be the definitive driver for our long-term prosperity.

FHKI is a statutory body with over 2,000 members in Hong Kong from 33 industry groups set up through a legislative procedure, over 1000 members in the GBA, and over 100 members in ASEAN.