On 16 September 2026, the Hong Kong SAR Government released two closely connected documents setting out the direction of the city’s development: Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026–2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address.
The Five-Year Plan provides the longer-term strategic framework for Hong Kong’s economic and social development, while the Policy Address sets out the Government’s priorities and measures for implementing that direction in the year ahead. Chief Executive John Lee described the Five-Year Plan as a blueprint for the next five years, with the annual Policy Address translating its priorities into policies and initiatives.
For businesses operating in Hong Kong, the two documents point to several areas worth following closely, from the continued development of Hong Kong as an international business and financial centre to investment in innovation, technology, infrastructure and talent.
The Five-Year Plan places continued emphasis on Hong Kong’s established role as an international financial, trading and business centre, while also identifying areas where the city intends to expand and diversify its capabilities.
The 2026 Policy Address sets out measures to further develop Hong Kong as an international financial centre, including strengthening its offshore Renminbi business, capital markets, asset and wealth management, risk management, securities and fixed-income markets, as well as developing commodity trading.
The Government is also looking to attract more enterprises to establish headquarters and corporate treasury centres in Hong Kong. The Policy Address notes that the Government has reviewed the existing tax concessionary measures for corporate treasury centres and conducted a public consultation on proposed enhancements. An amendment bill is expected to be introduced in the Legislative Council in the first half of 2027.
For companies using Hong Kong as a regional base, these measures could be relevant to decisions around corporate structuring, treasury functions, financing and regional operations.
Innovation and technology are another major theme across both documents.
The Five-Year Plan aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology centre, with a focus on frontier technologies, R&D, commercialisation and the development of emerging industries. It also identifies three major innovation and technology parks and five key R&D institutions as important components of the city's innovation ecosystem.
Artificial intelligence receives particular attention. The Policy Address proposes further measures to promote AI adoption across industries while developing a framework for AI risk management. The Government also plans to establish a Commissioner for AI and introduce a seven-point AI risk-governance strategy.
The focus is therefore not only on developing new technology, but also on its application across businesses and public services. For companies operating in technology-intensive sectors, this may create opportunities around R&D, investment, commercialisation and access to new markets.
The Government is also looking to broaden Hong Kong’s economic base through what it describes as new industrialisation and the development of emerging sectors.
The Policy Address identifies areas including AI, robotics, new energy, new materials, biomedicine and life and health technology. For example, the Government plans to strengthen the ecosystem connecting healthcare R&D, clinical trials, regulation, access to the GBA and international markets.
The Five-Year Plan similarly links innovation, technology and industrial development with Hong Kong’s wider economic transformation. The objective is to connect research capabilities with commercial applications, investment and industry development.
For businesses, this creates a policy environment in which technology and innovation are increasingly connected with financing, infrastructure, talent and international market access rather than being treated as standalone sectors.
Regional connectivity remains another important element of Hong Kong’s development strategy.
The Policy Address states that the Government will continue to promote cooperation within the Greater Bay Area through infrastructure connectivity, alignment of rules and mechanisms, technological collaboration and greater mobility of innovation factors. It also identifies Qianhai and Nansha as important platforms for deeper cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
There is also a clear "go global" dimension. The Government plans to deepen the work of the GoGlobal Task Force, which has already provided support to more than 340 Mainland enterprises in areas including capital raising, overseas standards, industry certifications and compliance requirements. Around 30% of these companies use Hong Kong as a regional or international headquarters or corporate treasury centre.
This reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a platform connecting Mainland businesses with international markets, while also creating opportunities for international companies looking to access the wider GBA.
The development of the Northern Metropolis remains a major part of the longer-term strategy.
The Five-Year Plan positions the Northern Metropolis as a strategic platform for integrating education, technology, industry and talent. Plans include the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, San Tin Technopole and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
The Policy Address also sets out plans to strengthen physical connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including the Northern Link and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link.
For businesses, the significance extends beyond transport. The Northern Metropolis is intended to bring together research institutions, technology companies, industry and talent, while strengthening Hong Kong’s integration with the wider GBA.
Talent is another recurring theme, particularly in relation to technology, innovation and the development of new industries.
The Policy Address proposes expanding Hong Kong’s Talent List to include additional AI-related categories and relaxing certain extension-of-stay requirements for technology start-up talent. The Government also plans to expand arrangements supporting economic and trade exchanges with Central Asia and the Middle East.
The broader strategy is to connect education, research, technology and industry more closely, while attracting international talent with skills relevant to Hong Kong’s future development.
For international businesses, this is particularly relevant when considering Hong Kong as a regional base and the availability of talent to support growth.
The Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address do not introduce a single new business policy. Instead, together they provide a clearer picture of the areas the Hong Kong Government intends to prioritise over the coming years.
For businesses, several themes stand out:
For companies already operating in Hong Kong, these developments provide useful context for considering investment, expansion and regional structuring decisions. For international businesses assessing Hong Kong as a base for Asia, they also offer an indication of the sectors, infrastructure and capabilities that are expected to receive continued policy support through 2030.
As Hong Kong’s business environment continues to evolve, companies may need to review their corporate structures, tax position, compliance requirements and regional operating models alongside their wider growth plans.
Fidinam supports businesses with corporate structuring, tax, accounting, compliance and cross-border business requirements, helping companies establish and manage their operations in Hong Kong and across Asia.
Contact Fidinam to discuss how Hong Kong’s evolving business environment may affect your company and its regional plans.