Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee invites UK businesses and universities to explore opportunities in the Northern Metropolis as trade ties continue to grow.
The United Kingdom remains a “much valued business partner” to Hong Kong, the city’s leader has said, while calling on British companies, investors and universities to explore opportunities in the Northern Metropolis, CNS reported.
Speaking at the annual summit of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on November 10th, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the development of three university towns in the Northern Metropolis offered a timely opportunity to deepen cooperation in higher education and research.
The summit’s theme this year was “Navigating Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan: Strategy to Opportunity”. Lee said it was a timely focus for the summit and the five years ahead. He expressed confidence that closer cooperation would bring opportunities for both Hong Kong and the UK across a wide range of fields.
Hong Kong was the world’s fifth-largest trading entity last year. Merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the UK reached nearly US$20 billion, up 26 per cent from 2024.
In addition, the UK ranked as Hong Kong’s fourth-largest source of inward direct investment and sixth-largest destination for outward direct investment at the end of 2024. The number of British companies with a presence in Hong Kong reached 770 last year, an annual increase of 7 per cent.
Lee said the figures reflected the close ties between the two sides and the continued confidence of British businesses and investors in Hong Kong.
He also highlighted their shared legal traditions and complementary strengths. The Northern Metropolis, he said, would play a central role in Hong Kong’s future development. Three university towns are planned as part of the project, creating opportunities to bring together education, research, technology and industry.
Hong Kong universities have a long history of cooperation with their UK counterparts. Existing partnerships include student exchanges, scholarship programmes, research collaboration and joint degree courses.
Lee said now is the time to expand cooperation in post-secondary education. He invited British companies, investors, universities and research institutions to explore opportunities in the Northern Metropolis and work with Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area partners to develop innovative solutions, services and businesses.
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