Gov’t steps up efforts to expand trade and investment links

The city will examine agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Peru.

Hong Kong plans to explore new investment agreements with other countries to strengthen international economic and trade networks, said Chief Executive John Lee in his 2025 Policy Address.

He noted that the Government will examine agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Peru. An Economic & Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur will be established this year.

The Government will also introduce a legislative proposal next year for the digitalisation of business-to-business trade documents.

The “Trade Single Window” will be expanded progressively to cover more trade documents. Hong Kong and the Mainland’s General Administration of Customs will work to link their single windows and explore extending the “Single Submission for Dual Declaration” scheme.

In addition, the possibilities of connecting single windows with ASEA will be discussed.

Half-rate tax concessions for commodity traders will be provided to set up businesses in Hong Kong. Moreover, legislative amendments will be made in the first half of next year.

The Government will also set up the Strategic Committee on Commodities, led by the Financial Secretary, to strengthen the top-down design and long-term strategy of the city’s commodity policy.