The number of foreign and mainland Chinese companies and start-ups in Hong Kong surged by 11 per cent year on year to record highs, the city’s leader has said.
At the 19th Asian Financial Forum on Monday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu highlighted Hong Kong’s “unprecedented achievements” as he announced a cooperation agreement to establish a gold trading ecosystem.
He said the number of foreign and mainland-affiliated firms with parent companies based outside Hong Kong reached 11,070 in 2025, up 11 per cent year on year, according to the government’s latest annual survey.
“The encouraging results represent more than a vote of confidence in Hong Kong by these businesses and entrepreneurs,” he said at the opening of the 19th Asian Financial Forum.
“They also mean our solid efforts in facilitating business establishment and operation, and in creating an enabling ecosystem for start-ups, are bearing fruit.”
Foreign companies from Singapore, France, Australia, the United States and Switzerland rose by more than 11 per cent, while those from Asean countries increased by about 10 per cent and the Middle East by 5 per cent.