【CityLinkers Business School】Major Enterprises Gather as Hong Kong’s Innovation & Technology Ecosystem Reaches New Heights
This latest cohort boasts an impressive lineup, covering frontier sectors such as life and health technologies, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), smart mobility technology and low-altitude economy infrastructure, as well as digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure. Many of these companies boast market capitalizations exceeding HK$100 billion.
The list includes pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim, mainland AI powerhouse MiniMax, ride-hailing platform Didi, semiconductor leader Hygon Information Technology, and leading eVTOL innovator AutoFlight, among other industry heavyweights.
Overseas Enterprises Hit New High
At the signing ceremony, OASES Director Peter Yan pointed out that half of the new batch of enterprises are from overseas, fully demonstrating that Hong Kong remains the preferred destination for industry giants amidst a complex global environment.
With the addition of these new strategic enterprises, OASES has successfully attracted over 120 such companies to date. These are expected to bring a combined investment of approximately HK$73 billion and create about 25,000 jobs covering high-end research, development, and management positions, injecting strong momentum into Hong Kong’s industrial upgrading and talent development.
Following the establishment of these strategic enterprises, their contributions to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem are becoming increasingly apparent at an accelerating pace.
As Financial Secretary Paul Chan noted at the ceremony, many strategic enterprises have already established strategic partnerships with local universities, businesses, and research institutions, with some collaborating with local hospitals to apply cutting-edge technology to patient treatment and care.
Meanwhile, among the enterprises settled earlier, about 75% have established global or regional headquarters in Hong Kong, and approximately 90% have set up or are establishing R&D centers, with some actively looking at sites in the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.
Highlighting Two-Way Value
In terms of location advantages, Hong Kong’s international environment, common law system, and free flow of capital provide an ideal regional headquarters base for mainland enterprises to “go global.” Simultaneously, Hong Kong serves as the best springboard for overseas enterprises to enter the mainland market.
Judging by the layout effectiveness of early attracted enterprises, over half have successfully listed, demonstrating Hong Kong’s solid capacity as an international listing and financing platform.
Since its establishment in late 2022, OASES has grown from attracting the first batch of over 20 enterprises to securing 22 in a single batch today—with half being overseas giants. This shows that Hong Kong’s core appeal is becoming increasingly prominent amidst complex global dynamics, forming a powerful virtuous cycle.
With breakthroughs in both the quality and quantity of attracted enterprises, Hong Kong’s innovation and technology industry has shifted from point-based introduction to large-scale application with cluster effects. This is sufficient proof that Hong Kong is building an inclusive and continuously upgrading innovation ecosystem.
Enterprises bring capital and projects, while talent sustains development momentum. Hong Kong’s unique roles as a “Super Connector” and “Super Value-Adder” are weaving these forces into an innovation synergy network covering the local area, the Greater Bay Area, and the globe.
Paxson Fung, Partner, CityLinkers Group
For original article, please visit: https://www.edigest.hk/2006228
