A new chapter in global expansion is unfolding. The world’s economic center of gravity is shifting toward the emerging markets of the Global South, creating unprecedented opportunities. Enterprises on the Chinese mainland are seizing this moment, with their ambitions evolving from cost-driven product exports to establishing global operations, building international brands, and exporting value chains of technology and management. This strategic pivot requires more than just capital; it demands a sophisticated, trusted partner that understands both the mainland and the wider world.

This is where the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shines. The HKSAR government’s 2025 Policy Address outlines an integrated strategy resting on three interconnected pillars: empowering mainland enterprises to expand globally, attracting high-potential industries with compelling new advantages, and creating new land for industrial growth through the Northern Metropolis development. Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the HKSAR’s investment promotion agency, acts as a proactive, value-added partner in driving the city’s high-quality economic development.

A one-stop platform for global ambitions

To turn this vision into action, the government has established the GoGlobal Task Force. The recent launch ceremony for the task force, as witnessed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, brought together leaders from across Hong Kong’s world-class financial services, and legal, and accountancy sectors. This one-stop platform integrates the global network of InvestHK, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and the HKSAR’s overseas offices to provide a seamless launchpad as mainland enterprises are accelerating their pace to “go global”.

For mainland firms, navigating international markets can present complex challenges, from managing global supply chains and cross-border funds to navigating unfamiliar legal and regulatory landscapes. Hong Kong provides the ideal solution. Many firms establish their international headquarters here, using the city as a base for their respective treasuries, finance, and research and development operations.

The GoGlobal Task Force, led by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah, is designed to orchestrate this support at the highest level. The steering committee of the task force held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday and discussed overall strategies and promotional work. The task force is designed to strengthen cooperation across policy bureaus, departments, organizations, and sectors, providing a comprehensive and agile support platform for enterprises. Our partners from the professional services ecosystem stand ready to help enterprises tap into Hong Kong’s capital markets for financing and mergers and acquisitions, provide crucial due diligence and valuation analysis, and advice on tax strategies and regulatory frameworks as companies expand into new jurisdictions.

We see surging demand from sectors like new energy, automotive, cross-border e-commerce, and life sciences. The task force will connect these ambitious companies with the targeted, systemic support they need to address challenges from supply chain restructuring to sustainable development, turning their global ambitions into reality.

Attracting high-value industries with new incentives

While we help companies go global, a key part of our strategy is to sharpen our competitive edge in attracting the world’s best. The financial secretary will lead the relevant policy bureau, departments, and public organizations to formulate preferential policy packages, including land grants, land premiums, financial support, and tax incentives, to attract high-value-added and high-potential industries that have the power to shape our future.

This vibrant ecosystem is on full display at events like the upcoming Hong Kong FinTech Week, which merges with the StartmeupHK Festival for its 10th anniversary this year. This mega-event will bring together not only fintech leaders but also innovators in artificial intelligence, green technology, and sustainable energy, showcasing the city as a premier hub where global investors, from venture capitalists to sovereign wealth funds, come to discover and fund the technologies of tomorrow.

Building a new engine for industrial growth

For too long, the perception has been that Hong Kong lacks the land for large-scale industrial development. The Northern Metropolis project decisively shatters this myth. As the city’s strategic development area bordering Shenzhen — one of the world’s technology capitals — it is a vast engine of economic potential, with its development now being accelerated by a top-level committee.

For InvestHK, the Northern Metropolis is a game changer. It provides the physical space for the industries we are attracting to establish R&D centers and regional headquarters, creating an unparalleled innovation corridor that allows companies to tap into the strengths of both cities. This is not a distant dream; expressions of interest for land plots are already being issued. For companies looking to tap into this potential, we act as their “GPS”, guiding them through the opportunities and connecting them with the right partners to turn ambitious blueprints into reality.

An integrated strategy for a value-added hub

Together, these pillars form a cohesive strategy to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, trade, and innovation hub. By merging its world-class infrastructure with a future-ready regulatory environment, Hong Kong is creating the conditions for capital to flow, innovation to scale, and collaboration to thrive.

The chief executive’s 2025 Policy Address has set a clear blueprint to “strive for a vibrant economy, pursue development and improve people’s livelihoods”. Ultimately, our work directly benefits the people of Hong Kong. The companies we bring in create jobs, bring in talent and new technology, rent offices, and build facilities. The talent they attract finds homes here, their children attend local schools, and they enrich the city’s cultural fabric.

Our commitment extends beyond simply helping a company land; we see them as a client for life, supporting their expansion every step of the way. As we help build the global champions of tomorrow, we are also building a more dynamic and resilient economy for the people of Hong Kong.

The author is director-general of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.