Hong Kong welcomed a surge in new businesses last year, with over half originating from mainland China, according to an official statement released Monday.
Mainland Firms Drive Record Business growth in Hong Kong
A record 560 companies established or expanded operations in Hong Kong in 2025, signaling strong investor confidence in the city’s economic future.
- A total of 560 businesses were established in Hong Kong last year, a 4 percent increase from 2024.
- 298 of those companies, roughly 53 percent, came from mainland China.
- The influx of new businesses is expected to create over 10,700 jobs.
- InvestHK reported total investment exceeding HK$69.4 billion, a 2 percent rise year-over-year.
The city’s investment arm, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), reported the record number of companies gaining a foothold in the city in 2025, a 4 percent increase from the previous year. This influx is bringing nearly HK$69.4 billion in investment to Hong Kong’s economy, a 2 percent increase from 2024.
“With record numbers of mainland and overseas companies and start-ups in the city, there is a clear reflection of the strong global investor confidence in Hong Kong,” said Secretary for Commerce and Economic Advancement Algernon Yau in the statement.
Sector Breakdown
Of the 560 new companies, 298 originated from mainland China, representing approximately 53 percent of the total. The United States followed with 42 new firms, while singapore and the United Kingdom contributed 29 and 26 companies, respectively.
These businesses are projected to generate 10,748 jobs in Hong Kong, spanning sectors like transport, logistics, tourism, hospitality, financial services, and fintech. Around 20 percent of these positions will be managerial or professional roles.
The largest concentrations of new companies are in financial services and fintech (117), followed by innovation and technology (115). Family offices account for 80 of the new businesses.
The scheme grants a two-year visa to foreign nationals, and also residents of Taiwan, Macau, and mainland China, who invest at least HK$30 million in permissible assets within the city.
Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Alpha lau, stated that the organization will continue to support mainland enterprises in their “go global” efforts through Hong Kong, reinforcing the city’s role as a key conduit for two-way investment.
investhk also prioritizes the Northern Metropolis-a development project aimed at strengthening ties between Hong Kong and mainland Chinese cities-as a “strategic priority.”
“Through preferential policy packages, we are committed to attracting more high-potential companies to set up in Hong Kong and showcasing to the international business community the enormous potential of Hong Kong as a cross-border collaboration platform,” Lau said.
195,343 local companies and re-domiciled companies were newly registered in Hong Kong last year, according to the companies Registry-an all-time high.
