Eight in 10 Mainland firms favour Hong Kong for overseas expansion

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.