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View all search resultsUnlocking global potential: why leading enterprises should look to Hong Kong
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Representatives from the latest 18 strategic enterprises attend the OASES Enterprises Signing Ceremony on Oct. 9. Since its inception, OASES has attracted a total of 102 strategic enterprises, which are expected to invest about HK$60 billion (US$7.7 billion) and create over 22,000 jobs in Hong Kong. (Image courtesy of OASES)
I
n an increasingly competitive global market, local opportunities are no longer enough for visionary enterprises with global ambitions, they need a gateway to international capital, innovation and connections.
Hong Kong has quietly emerged as that gateway, combining strategic location and forward-thinking policies.
A business environment made for the future
Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s top financial center, third globally, is well established, but its adaptability, ecosystem and forward-looking government policies truly sets it apart in an increasingly competitive world.
Beyond its low and simple tax regime and trusted legal system, Hong Kong provides unrivalled global connectivity, including seamless access to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, serving as a powerful launchpad to go global.
In recent years, the Hong Kong government has been actively formulating targeted policies such as land grants, tax incentives and financial subsidies to attract high value-added industries and high-potential enterprises. Supported by Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), these preferential measures have accelerated the city’s economic transformation into a powerhouse for innovation and technology.
Ranking third in “technology” in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, Hong Kong offers a fast-evolving innovation and technology ecosystem. Leading universities and research institutions continue to attract global talent, driving advances in key strategic sectors such as life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech, advanced manufacturing and new energy and creative sectors. For visionary enterprises, this means access to a rare blend of expertise, resources and collaboration opportunities.
At the forefront of this progress is the OASES, a dedicated government office that has already attracted over 100 leading global enterprises.
Accelerating biotech innovation: the MGI Tech story
MGI Tech is a global leader in genomics and biotechnology, renowned for some of the world’s most advanced gene sequencing technologies.
In 2023, the company significantly expanded its global research and development footprint by establishing its αLab at the Hong Kong Science Park. The cutting-edge facility is equipped with intelligent and automated systems, making it MGI’s first smart lab dedicated to AI-driven research aimed at accelerating biotech innovation.
The αLab seamlessly integrates multiple functions, from application-driven research and development and incubation platforms to collaborative research infrastructure, designed to support local universities, scientists and enterprises. The lab’s instruments are increasingly used by Hong Kong’s universities, clinical organizations and research institutes, particularly in areas such as reproductive health, cancer research and infectious diseases, helping lower testing costs and broadening the reach of advanced genomic technologies to benefit the wider public.
MGI Tech’s alignment with Hong Kong’s government priorities in innovation and technology, especially in life sciences, is clear. The company leverages Hong Kong’s strategic position as a gateway linking Chinese Mainland with global biotech and healthcare markets, using the city as a dynamic launchpad for international expansion.
Beyond Hong Kong, MGI Tech has built an important regional connection by partnering with the National Research and Innovation Agency. Together, they have launched collaborative initiatives focused on marine biodiversity conservation in Indonesian waters, applying MGI’s genomic technology to foster sustainable environmental stewardship to address critical regional challenges through scientific research innovation.
Through this dual emphasis on global research excellence and local regional impact, MGI Tech exemplifies how enterprises can harness Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem to achieve worldwide influence while remaining deeply connected to Southeast Asia.
Driving fintech innovation with a global reach: the KN Group story
KN Group, a leading fintech company specializing in AI-driven financial services, began exploring locations for its global headquarters five years ago. After engaging with various options, the company identified Hong Kong as the ideal hub due to its clear regulatory environment, vibrant business and regulatory community, and easy access to Chinese Mainland and ASEAN markets.
With the support of OASES, KN Group received tailored regulatory guidance, facilitated connections with key government departments such as the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, and integrated into Hong Kong’s vibrant fintech ecosystem. This support considerably eased the company’s setup process and helped it navigate local regulations smoothly.
OASES continues to provide policy updates and proactively suggests business opportunities aligned with KN Group’s goals. Since establishing its headquarters in Hong Kong’s Taikoo Place business hub, KN Group has expanded rapidly, employing over 100 local and international professionals. Leveraging this Hong Kong base, the company has grown internationally, including entry into Indonesia’s fintech market.
The company’s regional collaborations, such as its partnership with AlloyX, a prominent Hong Kong fintech company, to develop blockchain-issued funds, exemplify how Hong Kong’s ecosystem fosters cutting-edge financial technology development. Leveraging the city’s strategic position, KN Group continues to push boundaries, driving fintech innovation both regionally and globally.
Lucas Kong, KN Group’s Hong Kong general manager, credits OASES with giving the company “confidence and access to resources that otherwise would have taken years to build,” highlighting OASES as an effective bridge for cross-border fintech growth.
More than just business setup
OASES plays a central role in Hong Kong’s efforts to attract strategic enterprises. Rather than simply helping businesses set up offices, OASES builds ecosystems.
Its one-stop services range from tailored facilitation to navigating regulatory approvals and connecting enterprises with investors, academic partners and government departments, and provides a streamlined path for international expansion.
Since its establishment, OASES has attracted over 100 leading enterprises around the globe. For overseas businesses targeting global markets, OASES acts as a trusted partner with deep local knowledge and a commitment to tailor solutions that meet specific industry needs.
Combined with Hong Kong’s advantages and unique position as a gateway to Asia, this support significantly eases the challenges of expanding internationally, exemplifying Hong Kong’s forward-looking strategy to nurture innovation-driven industries and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage.
As Indonesia’s economy embraces global integration, Hong Kong stands out as a powerful launchpad for forward-thinking enterprises. The experiences of MGI Tech and KN Group are just two examples of how real international growth happens through partnership and access, both of which Hong Kong, with OASES’ support, delivers.
