HK investment scheme passes 5,000 applications, could bring $150bn
Hong Kong's New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has received over 5,000 applications, with 3,000 approved, potentially bringing HK$150 billion. Officials highlight diversified investment products and AI-driven sectors, while a professor urges a carbon trading corridor and the airport authority dev
Hong Kong's New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has exceeded 5,000 applications, with approximately 3,000 already approved, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu said on Friday at a discussion forum at the Sing Tao Global Economic Summit 2026.
Based on an investment of HK$30 million per application, the scheme could bring HK$150 billion to Hong Kong, of which 10 per cent is invested in the Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) to support innovation and technology development, Hui said. He argued that Hong Kong ought to provide diversified services and products, through stocks, bonds, and precious metals as entry points to offer investors opportunities for diversified asset allocation.
Hui pointed to the example of “Dim Sum Bonds,” offshore yuan bonds issued in Hong Kong, which as of September surpassed US dollar bonds for the first time in terms of issuance percentage, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages.
At the same forum, Clara Chan Ka-chai, Chief Executive of the HKIC, said the corporation gathers outstanding global talent to help build local industries and production chains. She cited artificial intelligence as an example, where the HKIC selects and trains teams at the large-scale model level to help them go global, and drives other core investment sectors through AI, such as life sciences, healthcare, green technology, and new energy.
Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Honorary Professor at the Business School at the University of Hong Kong, suggested the government concentrate resources on building a cross-regional carbon trading corridor connecting ASEAN, Hong Kong, and the Greater Bay Area to seize market opportunities from the global carbon neutrality trend. He predicted the global carbon trading market would exceed US$10 trillion (HK$78.45 trillion) by 2050, and the ASEAN market could reach three to four trillion US dollars. He noted that Hong Kong is geographically more advantageous than Singapore and can gain more initiatives when cooperating with ASEAN.
Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, Chief Executive of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, said the authority is actively developing its airport city SKYTOPIA, including building a yacht harbour to establish Hong Kong as an entertainment hub and create exclusive services for high-value clients.