Key facts
- Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development covers 2026-2030.
- The plan aims to boost finance, trade, AI, and the Northern Metropolis.
- Measures include expanding offshore RMB bond issuance and Stock Connect schemes.
- A new gold clearing and settlement system is planned for Q1 2027.
- Hong Kong seeks to attract more international companies, with a 4-5% annual growth target.
Hong Kong has unveiled its first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, covering 2026 to 2030, to bolster its financial hub status. The plan, adopted in September 2026, aligns with China's National 15th Five-Year Plan and provides businesses with a clearer outlook on public investment, incentives, and regulatory reforms.
The strategy focuses on protecting existing strengths in finance and trade while fostering new growth areas like AI and the Northern Metropolis. Key financial initiatives include expanding offshore renminbi (RMB) services, refining listing rules for overseas and technology companies, and establishing a new gold clearing and settlement system from the first quarter of 2027.
The plan also aims to enhance Hong Kong's trade role by supporting offshore trade and treasury functions, acting as a two-way platform for international and mainland businesses, and developing digital trade infrastructure. The city aims to increase the number of companies with parent entities outside Hong Kong by 4-5% annually.