Hong Kong's offshore task force aids over 360 mainland firms in first year
Hong Kong's task force for mainland enterprises going overseas has assisted more than 360 firms since October 2025, with about 30 per cent setting up regional or international headquarters. The government outlined performance metrics, industry partnerships, overseas missions, and a professional serv
Hong Kong's dedicated task force for mainland Chinese enterprises expanding overseas has assisted more than 360 firms since its establishment in October 2025, according to the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Speaking in the Legislative Council on 4 November 2026, the Secretary said about 30 per cent of those firms have set up regional or international headquarters or corporate treasury centres in Hong Kong.
The task force, led by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, integrates InvestHK, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and mainland offices to provide a one-stop platform. It has held four steering committee meetings and adopted a three-phase strategy to help mainland firms enter overseas markets via Hong Kong. The government estimates the assisted firms will bring about HK$61.3 billion in direct investment and create around 8,500 jobs.
In response to a legislator's question, the Secretary said the 2025 Policy Address set a performance target of attracting at least 1,200 mainland or overseas firms to set up or expand in Hong Kong between 2026 and 2027. The task force has helped firms from various provinces and sectors including transport and logistics, fintech, innovation and technology, tourism, digital technology, and life sciences.
The 2026 Policy Address announced plans to deepen cooperation with industry associations in Hong Kong and mainland China. The task force will work with chambers of commerce and organisations such as the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to hold themed seminars in different cities. It will also leverage Hong Kong's professional networks to better match service providers with firms planning overseas expansion.
The task force organises overseas missions led by senior officials. In June 2026, the Chief Executive led a delegation of over 30 mainland firms to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, securing 96 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding worth more than US$1.65 billion. In August, the Commerce Secretary led a mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, resulting in two cooperation memoranda and an investment agreement between InvestHK and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. Further missions are planned for 2027.
To improve professional support, the task force launched the 'Go Global' cross-sector platform in April 2026, gathering over 220 Hong Kong professional service providers across eight categories including finance, legal, accounting, design, logistics, IT, infrastructure, and testing. The platform has handled about 300 inquiries. The 2026 Policy Address calls for adding environmental, social and governance services to help firms meet overseas technical standards and market access requirements.
