Hong Kong 2025 Policy Address Key Highlights
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. John KC Lee, delivered the 2025 Policy Address on 17 September 2025. The following key highlights summarize critical measures from the 2025 Policy Address to drive economic vitality, enhance business competitiveness, and elevate Hong Kong’s standing on the global stage.
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Expanding International Business Opportunities
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Continue to Pursue Membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) The Government continues to advance Hong Kong’s application to join RCEP, expanding economic and trade networks and deepening cooperation with Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, including establishing an Economic and Trade Office in Cambodia.
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Leverage the Role of the “Go Global” Platform The Government promotes “bringing in and going global” by establishing the “One-Stop Trade Platform” to support enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, fostering trade promotion and business opportunities.
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Establish the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis Chaired by the Chief Executive, the Committee comprises three working groups: the “Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models,” the “Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town,” and the “Working Group on Planning and Development.” These groups drive investment attraction, land planning, and industrial development for the San Tin Technopole. Progress: New industrial park planning and operation models will be announced in 2025.
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Support and Funding for SMEs
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Enhance the BUD Fund Inject HK$1.43 billion into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund), expanding its scope to cover more “Belt and Road” countries and supporting enterprises in tapping overseas markets.
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SME Support Services Through the “One-Stop Trade Platform,” provide integrated support to assist SMEs in participating in overseas trade missions and exploring business opportunities.
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New Industrialisation Funding Scheme Continue to promote the scheme, lowering the application threshold to HK$150 million to support enterprises in establishing smart production facilities. Progress: Support 100 production lines by mid-July 2025.
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Visa and Talent Policies
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New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
Enhance the scheme by raising the investment threshold for non-residential properties to HK$15 million and setting the investment threshold for residential properties at a transaction value of no less than HK$30 million to attract investors to Hong Kong.
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Supplementary Labour Optimisation Scheme
Extend the local recruitment period to six weeks, requiring employers to participate in weekly Labour Department job fairs.
Manpower ratios are calculated based on job positions: for example, to import one waiter and one junior chef, employers must have hired two local full-time waiters and two local full-time junior chefs.
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Intellectual Property and Innovation Support
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Intellectual Property Financing Sandbox Advance intellectual property financing by reviewing tax incentive measures to enhance financing development. Progress: Launch public consultation by the end of 2025.
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Patent Box Tax Incentive Pilot Scheme The Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre will commence operations by the end of 2025, subsidising local SME technology enterprises to conduct patent assessments based on national standards, combined with tax incentives to facilitate financing, for a period of two years.
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The 2025 Policy Address showcases the Government’s multifaceted strategies in deepening reforms, promoting international business, supporting SMEs, attracting talent, and advancing intellectual property financing. Accounting firms can assist enterprises in leveraging funding schemes, optimising manpower allocation, and balancing innovation with compliance.
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