{
  "id": 12823959,
  "title": "Hong Kong retains world freest economy title in Fraser report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hong-kong-retains-world-freest-economy-title-in-fraser-report",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-08T07:48:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Vietnam Investment Review",
    "slug": "vietnam-investment-review",
    "url": "https://vir.com.vn/hong-kong-retains-world-freest-economy-title-in-fraser-report-162375.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hong Kong has once again been named the world's freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2026 Annual Report, released on October 6 by the Canada-based Fraser Institute. The city maintained its top position among 165 jurisdictions worldwide, with Switzerland ranking second. Hong Kong's government welcomed the report, highlighting its continued first-place ranking in \"Freedom to trade internationally\" and second place in \"Regulation.\" The report further underscores Hong Kong's strengths as a free-market economy, with an open, efficient, and fair business environment. The HKSAR spokesman emphasized the city's commitment to maintaining its free port status, zero-tariff policy, and simple tax regime, which provide a stable and predictable business environment for global investors and entrepreneurs. The \"one country, two systems\" framework allows Hong Kong to benefit from strong support from the Chinese mainland while maintaining close ties with the rest of the world. The city's legal system, financial services, and business environment align with international standards, positioning Hong Kong as a gateway for Mainland enterprises to enter global markets and for overseas firms to access the Mainland. This year, Hong Kong has also ranked high in international competitiveness rankings for finance, innovation, and technology, showcasing the government's efforts to promote high-quality social and economic development. The number of overseas and Mainland parent companies in Hong Kong exceeded 11,000, marking a 11% increase over 2024. Talent attraction has also been successful, with over 470,000 applications approved under various talent admission schemes, leading to a significant increase in international investors' confidence in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Chief Executive, John Lee, recently announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, reaffirming Hong Kong's commitment to a free and open economic system and the free flow of capital, goods, people, and information.",
  "summary": "The Fraser Institute ranked Hong Kong as the world s freest economy in its Economic Freedom of the World 2026 Annual Report published on 6 October",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Time Out Hong Kong",
        "title": "MGM Reserve Zhuhai review: Find a luxurious garden mansion escape just under two hours away from Hong Kong",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/mgm-reserve-zhuhai-review-find-a-luxurious-garden-mansion-escape-just",
        "published": "2026-10-07T09:36:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "Mainland Chinese arrivals to Hong Kong beat ‘golden week’ forecast in just 6 days",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/mainland-chinese-arrivals-to-hong-kong-beat-golden-week-forecast-in",
        "published": "2026-10-08T00:30:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Art Newspaper",
        "title": "Hong Kong gallery Tang Contemporary closes amid row over outstanding debts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hong-kong-gallery-tang-contemporary-closes-amid-row-over-outstanding",
        "published": "2026-10-08T09:43:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}