Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO), Ms Emily Mo, promoted Hong Kong’s edges at the Fall Networking Reception organized by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) (Montreal Section) on October 3.
In her opening remarks delivered via a video, Ms. Mo highlighted Hong Kong’s status as a leading global financial centre. “In 2023, Hong Kong recorded a GDP growth of 3.2% with a low unemployment rate 2.9%,” Ms Mo said. “As a global offshore wealth management centre, Hong Kong is ranked second worldwide, following Switzerland.”
Ms Mo noted that more than 2 700 single-family offices are thriving in Hong Kong. In the first half of 2024, over 300 Mainland Chinese and overseas companies have set up or expanded their business in Hong Kong representing a year-on-year increase of 43%. She also shared that about 50 strategic enterprises have chosen to set up in Hong Kong in the past year, investing more than CAD$6.5 billion and creating over 13,000 jobs, primarily in scientific research and management positions.
“The city has reached a new record of 4 200 start-ups, with a quarter founded by non-locals, and Canada holds the 7th largest share,” Ms Mo said. “We are excited to see major Canadian financial institutions’ expansion and new partnership deals made in Hong Kong, alongside the interest of Canadian fintech companies in expansion into the city.”
Ms Mo further remarked that Hong Kong’s open economy offers global talents a promising future. Since the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme in 2022, Canada has remained the second largest source of talent for Hong Kong. She assured all participants that Hong Kong Talent Engage is ready to support newcomers in settling in Hong Kong. She also encouraged anyone interested in developing their career in Hong Kong to reach out to HKETO.
The networking session, brought together the international business community interested in Asian trade and Hong Kong, provided an opportunity to network over drinks and dim sum while discovering new opportunities and sharing success stories. HKETO is a supporter for the event.
香港經貿處處長在滿地可招待會推廣香港經濟
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿處）處長巫菀菁十月三日在港加商會（滿地可分會）舉辦的秋季招待會上，推廣香港的優勢。
巫菀菁以錄象形式致歡迎辭時強調香港領先全球的金融中心角色，她指出：「香港2023年錄得本地生產總值增長3.2%，失業率低至2.9%。香港亦是全球第二大的環球離岸資產管理中心，排名僅次瑞士。」
巫菀菁提到超過2 700間單一家族辦公室在香港蓬勃發展。2024年上半年，逾300間中國內地及海外企業在港成立或拓展業務，按年上升43%。她續指，約50間重點企業亦於去年選擇在香港落戶，投資額超過65億加元，創造逾13 000個職位，主要聘請科研及管理專才。
巫菀菁說：「香港的初創企業數目已刷下4 200的新紀錄，其中四分之一由非本地人士成立，而在當中加拿大排名第七。我們喜見加拿大主要金融機構在港擴充業務及推出新的企業合作項目，以及有更多加拿大金融科技企業有意來港發展。
巫菀菁續闡述香港的開放型經濟為環球專才提供廣闊前境。自高端人才通行證計劃在2022年實施以來，加拿大一直是專才來港的第二大國。她向與會者保證，香港人才服務辦公室已準備就緒協助來港人士在港安居樂業，她又鼓勵希望到港發展事業的與會者與經貿處聯絡。
是次招待會獲香港經貿處支持舉辦，讓有志於亞洲貿易及來港發展的國際商務社群聚首一堂，一邊品嚐香港美點，一邊交流營商心得，並藉此發掘新機遇和分享成功故事。
