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Nearly 200 companies from Shanghai were listed in Hong Kong by the end of last year, highlighting the city’s increasing importance as a global platform for mainland high-tech firms seeking international growth, according to Hong Kong’s commerce leader.
“Hong Kong serves as a vital gateway for Shanghai to connect with international markets and as a key platform for local enterprises to access global capital and expand worldwide networks,” said Algernon Yau. He made these remarks during a recent session in Shanghai focused on overseas expansion for innovation and technology companies.
As a major connector and value generator, Hong Kong can help mainland innovative tech firms efficiently link to international markets, attract global investors, and grow their overseas business opportunities, he added.
Dedicated Support for International Growth
Yau mentioned that last year, the Hong Kong government set up a Task Force for Supporting Mainland Enterprises Going Global, uniting various government departments including Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to assist mainland companies in expanding overseas through Hong Kong.
He encouraged mainland firms interested in global expansion—especially high-potential innovation and tech companies—to establish a presence in Hong Kong. The task force has launched an online platform offering professional services in eight key areas such as legal, accounting, finance, marketing, and testing and certification. It also helps companies find suitable international partners.
Additionally, Yau noted that the task force is organizing overseas study tours to provide participating companies with direct insights into the business environments and growth opportunities in their target markets.
Industry Applauds Practical Assistance
Rong Guoqiang, general manager of an innovation incubator specializing in humanoid robots in Shanghai, praised the government’s latest initiative, saying it addresses a significant challenge faced by many tech startups.
He explained that while management teams at innovation and technology firms, especially hardware startups, are typically strong in technical skills, they often lack familiarity with international legal systems, taxation, intellectual property, talent recruitment, financing, and overseas sales channels.
Rong believes Hong Kong’s effort directly meets the practical needs of mainland companies looking to go global. “Support services like these are very important and provide real tangible help to these businesses,” he stated.
Data from Invest Hong Kong shows that since January, the agency has helped more than 410 overseas and mainland companies establish or expand their operations in Hong Kong. Of these, 60% are mainland firms, and over 20% are innovation and technology companies.
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