Blueprint offers certainty, clarity: business groups

Local business groups have welcomed Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan, praising it for providing strategic direction and much-needed certainty in a turbulent global environment. Chief Executive John Lee promised to bolster the city's role as a global offshore renminbi hub by establishing a commodity trading ecosystem. Business sector lawmaker Jonathan Lamport noted that the blueprint aligns with the national 15th five-year plan and offers investors clear guidance on industries to explore.

The interconnected nature of the plan was highlighted, with Lamport explaining that building a commodity and gold trading ecosystem would directly benefit physical warehouses in the Northern Metropolis and promote Hong Kong's status as a "golden partner" for businesses. Jacob Kam, chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, described the five-year plan as "forward-looking" and emphasized its potential to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and deepen integration with the Greater Bay Area.

The chamber urged for increased public investment in yacht and marina infrastructure to boost high-value marine tourism. The Federation of Hong Kong Industries echoed these sentiments, stating that the plan provides industries with a clearer understanding of the city's industrial landscape and proposes several directions related to industrial development.

These include accelerating the Northern Metropolis, promoting new industrialization, advancing AI applications, building a commodity trading ecosystem, and creating high-value-added supply chain services. Federation chairman Anthony Lam highlighted that the federation will identify new growth drivers and collaborate with sectors to enhance Hong Kong's industrial competitiveness.