INTHEBLACK September/October 2025 - Magazine - Page 18
HONG KONG
SKILLS IN DEMAND
OVERVIEW
1. Artificial intelligence (AI) skills for IT, marketing,
customer service and finance
2. Finance and accounting
Hong Kong is a strategic gateway to Mainland
China and the Asia-Pacific. The city has
attracted substantial FDI. By the end of 2023,
Hong Kong’s total inward FDI increased by
6.2 per cent over 2022 figures to HK$18,376 billion
(A$3.6 trillion). In 2024, Hong Kong’s economy
grew by 2.5 per cent. Real GDP, according to
advanced estimates, grew by 3.1 per cent in Q1
2025 over one year, with CPI at 1 per cent.
Unemployment is stable at 3.2 per cent.
CPA AUSTRALIA
According to Trading Economics, Hong Kong
MEMBERS
“is the eighth largest trading entity in the
world, with the value of goods and services
16,293
exchanged four times the size of GDP”.
MAJOR SECTORS
F E AT U R E
• Financial services
• Professional and producer services
• Trading and logistics
• Tourism
KEY BUSINESS ATTRACTIONS
As well as its strategic location, Hong Kong
boasts a common law system, strong IP protection,
a competitive tax regime, and world-class
transportation and communication infrastructure.
LOCAL INSIGHT
“Business travellers are often surprised by how
efficiently they can get things done in Hong Kong,”
says Kelvin Leung FCPA, managing director of
Equity Capital Markets, Huatai Financial Holdings
(Hong Kong) Limited and deputy president of
CPA Australia’s Greater China division.
“Meetings are direct and outcome-oriented.
World-class services, from legal to financial
support, are readily available. In fact, travellers
find they can accomplish in just two days what
might take a week in other cities.”
In terms of market sectors, Leung says
Hong Kong’s IPO market is rebounding, with
2025 volumes projected to surpass the past
two years.
“This resurgence is driven by improved market
sentiment and a wave of [listings coming] from
Mainland Chinese firms,” he says. “In wealth and
asset management, Hong Kong is cementing its
role as a global hub.”
“Meanwhile, the Greater Bay Area initiative
continues to drive momentum in logistics,
advanced manufacturing and professional services.”
Hong Kong cityscape
