Hong Kong is a place where it is easy to run diverse businesses, and Swire Pacific (0019, 0087) has no intention of moving its headquarters out of the city, development director David Cogman said at the International Business Summit 2025.
Hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, he said in the panel discussion that although the company has been investing in Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia in recent years, it has no plan to relocate its headquarters from Hong Kong, adding that the city brings a lot of development opportunities as a gateway to mainland China.
The city also offers convenience to operate multiple businesses, including its refined law landscape and acting as an ideal arbitration center, he noted.
The excellent banking industry in the city attracts numerous talents, Cogman said, adding that Hong Kong should also enhance its storytelling to the world, as it serves as a significant transshipment port.
Speaking on the same panel, Jacob Kam Chak-pui, chief executive officer at MTR Corporation (0066), pointed out that railways can boost economic development and land values in surrounding areas, despite their status as high-risk investments.
He stressed the rail plus property model is not only for funding, but also acts as a mode for the city's development.
Kam exemplified that Tung Chung was once a fishing village 20 years ago, evolving into a new town to house more than 300,000 citizens with the construction of highways and railways.
MTRC has been leveraging many new technologies to improve operational efficiency and customer services, such as offering information about railway operations and adapting various payment methods, he said.
