{
  "id": 9878162,
  "title": "How Hong Kong firms are future-proofing business in challenging times",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/how-hong-kong-firms-are-future-proofing-business-in-challenging-times-9878162",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-26T01:00:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3368853/how-hong-kong-firms-are-future-proofing-business-challenging-times"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hong Kong, a vital hub in global trade, is undergoing a transformation to future-proof its businesses amid challenging geopolitical landscapes. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has emphasized the need for adaptability, urging both the government and private sector to stay competitive. Companies are increasingly turning to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain relevance in an evolving market. For instance, Swire Coca-Cola, a prominent bottling firm in Hong Kong, has integrated AI into its operations, allowing its mainland plants to make real-time decisions and adapt to changing conditions while optimizing order quantities. Karen So, Swire Coca-Cola's CEO, attributes the company's success to its geographical coverage, which exposes it to various geopolitical risks. She stresses the importance of vigilance in managing costs, particularly rising raw material prices. Hong Kong's economic outlook brightened with record merchandise exports, driven by demand for AI-related products. However, inflation concerns and a declining retail sector pose significant challenges. Consumer spending patterns are shifting, with fewer residents patronizing local shops, leading to falling prices and soaring vacancy rates. High-value sectors, such as finance and technology, continue to thrive, but overall, businesses are heavily reliant on international trade and face risks from global tensions. Specialists note three main challenges: high operating costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical risks. Despite high levels of interest in adopting AI, many companies struggle with integration and lack the necessary funding and skilled workers. Nonetheless, Hong Kong seems to be leading in AI adoption, with many firms recognizing its potential to transform operations and open new markets.",
  "summary": "Hong Kong’s economic transformation is at a critical juncture, and the private sector must adapt along with it, as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has noted. In the first of a two-part series, Ambrose Li and Wynna Wong examine the forces driving change among established enterprises. Before visiting a vendor in mainland China’s Jiangsu province, a salesman from Hong Kong bottling giant Swire…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "How Hong Kong firms are future-proofing business in challenging times",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/how-hong-kong-firms-are-future-proofing-business-in-challenging-times",
        "published": "2026-09-26T01:00:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}