HKTDC survey points to demand for the city’s financial and professional services.
Eight in 10, or 83%, of Mainland Chinese enterprises planning overseas expansion prefer Hong Kong as a service platform, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Firms cited the city’s financial and professional services, including legal, accounting, risk management, and ESG support.
“Hong Kong is a super-connector, super value-adder,” said HKTDC Research Director Bruce Pang.
The survey of more than 2,000 internationalised Mainland enterprises found that 82% plan to expand their existing overseas operations, whilst 63% intend to launch new ventures abroad.
Belt and Road markets were the most popular destinations, cited by 94% of respondents. Another 91% expressed interest in ASEAN markets, particularly Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Meanwhile, companies identified market uncertainty, stronger overseas competition, and funding shortages for operational or supply-chain adjustments as key challenges to international expansion.