DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG

 

make it HK

Why run your business in, or from, Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is considered as one of the best cities to establish and run a business, as it scores high on factors that matter to businesses. This article illustrates the key benefits of setting up a business in Hong Kong and provides you with the answers to the question “Why choose Hong Kong to set up a business?”.

Today, many investors and entrepreneurs are choosing to set up their businesses overseas – especially in jurisdictions like Hong Kong.

The rationale behind this trend is to primarily facilitate entry into an international market and to benefit from tax friendly jurisdictions.

Below are some of the factors that continue to contribute to its success:

 

  • strategic location
  • productive work-force
  • stable economic and political environment
  • attractive tax regime
  • pro-business environment
  • world-class infrastructure
  • an effective legal system

 

Ranking Category Hong Kong's Rank Source 
World’s Best Financial System  2World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 
World’s Best Global Financial Centre  3 (1 in Asia)The Global Financial Centres Index 25 2019 
World’s Leading Investment Hub for FDI inflows in Asia  2United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD): World Investment Report 2018 
Best location for IPO and M&A activity in Asia-Pacific  1Baker Mckenzie & Oxford Economics: Global Transactions Forecast 2019 

 

Hong Kong Victoria Harbour

Strategic Location

Hong Kong is strategically located at the heart of the Asian continent. A five-eight hour flight will connect you to most markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

If you need to tap into the Mainland Chinese market you will find that Hong Kong is perfectly situated on the southeast coast of Mainland China, flanking the mouth of the Pearl River Delta. This facilitates travel to and from Hong Kong to Beijing, Shanghai and other major Chinese cities within a single day.

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is the eighth busiest international passenger airport with 100 airlines servicing over 180 destinations, including major cities in the Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and the Middle East and to about 40 destinations in mainland China. The HKIA is often ranked as the ‘Best Airport in the World’ and consistently receives accolades and awards. 

Cross-boundary ferries provide speedy sea transport to and from six mainland ports and the coach service covers more than 90 PRD cities and towns. Hong Kong is also a focal point of all maritime activities in southern China and is one of the major ports of the world in terms of tonnage of shipping using its facilities, cargo handled and the number of passengers carried.

 

Ease of doing business

Hong Kong is renowned for being an easy place to set up a business. You can open your company in about two week’s time in Hong Kong.

It is noted for its excellent infrastructure facilities and business premises are easily available.

Intellectual Property protection is taken seriously, with strict regulations in place. There are various dispute resolution channels that businesses can avail of.

The simple and business friendly tax system draws foreign investors to the city.

Foreigners who wish to setup business in Hong Kong can easily relocate by applying for an appropriate work visa.

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's Rank Source 
World's easiest place to do businessThe World Bank's Doing Business 2019 Report 
World's Business Environment RankingsThe Global Financial Centres Index 25 2019 
Best Countries for BusinessForbes lists, 2019 
World's fastest place to start a business2 (1.5 days) The Global Competitiveness Report 2018 
Global competitiveness7 (3 in Asia) World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report 2018 

 

Attractive Tax Regime

Taxes are the main concern for any entrepreneur who intends to set up a business in a given jurisdiction. In this regard, Hong Kong boasts of being one of the lowest tax jurisdictions in the world.

Personal income tax, or salary tax as it is known, starts at 2% and goes up to 17% for income above HKD 200,000.

Corporate tax is set at 16.5% of assessable profits for corporations and 15% for unincorporated businesses.

There is no capital gains tax, nor any withholding tax on dividends and interest or collection of social security benefits.

Furthermore, there is no sales tax or VAT in Hong Kong.

For more information on taxation in Hong Kong, refer to Hong Kong Tax Guide.

 

Ranking Category Hong Kong's Rank Source 
World's Lowest Tax Jurisdictions The World Bank's Doing Business 2019 Report 
World's most business-friendly tax system 1PWC & The World Bank Group: Paying Taxes 2019 

 

World’s freest economy

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most dynamic economies driven by the principles of free enterprise, free trade and free markets open to all. The robust economy over the past two decades has contributed to the GDP growth at an average annual rate of 5% in real terms.

There are no restrictions on inward and outward investments, no foreign exchange controls and no foreign ownership restrictions.

Factors such as a sound banking system, almost no public debt, a strong legal system, sizable foreign exchange reserves and a strict anti-corruption regimen serve to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a business friendly region.

Furthermore, businesses that are set up in Hong Kong (i.e. any Hong Kong company regardless of nationality) can now benefit by gaining preferential access to the Mainland China market from the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) – a free trade agreement between the Central Peoples Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

All goods qualified as Hong Kong origin may be exported to the Mainland tariff free.

Moreover, Hong Kong service suppliers in 40 areas are eligible to receive preferential treatment in providing services in the Mainland. 

 

Ranking Category Hong Kong's Rank Score 
World's Freest Economy Index of Economic Freedom, 2019 
World's Most Competitive Economy Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD): World Competitiveness Yearbook 2018 

 

Business Support & Assistance

A number of programmes have been established by the Hong Kong government and the private sector to help your company grow and improve in every aspect of your business. A number of business support programmes and financial incentives to foster the growth of SMEs have been established.

Organisations such as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council help international companies do business in the Mainland and Asia, and also aid Hong Kong companies find new markets.

The Hong Kong Productivity Council promotes increased productivity and the use of more efficient methods throughout Hong Kong’s business sectors.

The Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs is a comprehensive information and advisory centre for SMEs.

Financial assistance is available through a number of Government Funding Schemes.

 

Liberal Immigration Policy

Hong Kong follows a liberal immigration policy. Nationals of about 170 countries and territories are allowed visa-free visits to Hong Kong for periods ranging from 7 to 180 days. Short-term visitors may conduct business negotiations and sign contracts by entering Hong Kong on a visitor visa or entry permit.

The government has introduced appropriate work visa provisions, anticipating the needs of business entrepreneurs who may wish to relocate to Hong Kong to run their business or who may want to hire foreign professionals to work in their company.

There are various policies and schemes for the employment of foreign professionals, employment of Mainland talents and professionals, those wishing to enter for investment etc.

Dependant visas are issued and allows the holder to undertake almost any type of lawful employment in Hong Kong. For more information, refer to Hong Kong Work and Business Visa Schemes

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's RankSource
World's least restrictive immigration laws for foreign talent6IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2008
World's ease of hiring foreign labour rankings

53(Score: 4.3 [1 = very much limits hiring foreign labour, 7 = does not limit hiring foreign labour at all])

The Global Competitiveness Report 2018

 

Sound Legal Environment

Noted for its transparency, law and order is central to Hong Kong’s success. All are considered equal before the law.

Hong Kong’s legal system is separate from Mainland China’s, and English common law prevails. With the establishment of the International Arbitration Centre in 1985, Hong Kong has become a key centre for arbitration in Asia and arbitration is now a popular method of dispute resolution in Hong Kong.

The law is committed to the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and enforces stringent regulations for patents, copyrights, trademarks and registered designs. The specially set up Intellectual Property Department monitors the IP regime in Hong Kong and is reputed to have extensive experience in handling IP matters.

There are distinct rules and regulations concerning trade and commerce, employment, taxation and other business-related areas, making it an attractive place to setup and operate a business.

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's RankSource
Judicial Independence in Asia1World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's most efficient legal framework in settling disputes4World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's Intellectual Property Protection Rankings9The Global Competitiveness Report 2018

 

Clean Governance

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs.

According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration (1984) and the Basic Law, Hong Kong retains its political, economic, and judicial systems. This setup is often referred to as “One China, Two Systems”.

Most businesses choose to set up operations in Hong Kong as it believed to be politically stable with a pro-business governance and free market principles.

It is also cited as one of the most corruption-free economies in the world. Hong Kong has even set up an anti-corruption watch-dog – the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) – mandated to deal with both public and private sector corruption.

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's RankSource
Most politically stable country in Asia8The World Bank 2017
Perception of Corruption in Asia, the US and Australia4Political & Economic Risk Consultancy, 2016

 

Productive Work Force

Hong Kong consists of a highly trained, well-educated and skilled wok-force. The workforce consists of a local talent pool of experienced and entrepreneurial professionals who are known to be especially well versed with the business culture in the fast-growing Mainland cities.

Employees are generally considered to be hard-workingcompetitive and are constantly seeking to improve themselves.

Although English is the language of communication in business settings, bulk of the workforce is also conversant with Cantonese and Mandarin, owing to the country’s link to China. 

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's RankSource
World's Best Cooperation in Labour-Employer Relations9The Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's Total Workforce Engagement2Total Workforce Index Rankings 2017
Easiest Place to Find Skilled Employees11The Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's Best Labour Market11The Global Competitiveness Report 2018

 

Robust Infrastructure

Hong Kong has taken endless measures to continuously upgrade its infrastructure in order to meet the growing demands of businesses. It is said to have one of the Best Airports and Busiest Ports in the world. Transportation services are efficient and cheap connecting all major centres.

Hong Kong is also the preferred Exhibition and Convention Centre for most businesses in the region. The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre has received several awards and accolades. It is often voted as the ‘Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in Asia Pacific’.

Hong Kong is home to world-class industrial/business parks like Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks. These parks provide integrated infrastructure in one region that help reduce the per-business expense, and also help companies operate in a highly conducive, environment friendly setting.

Hong Kong's telecommunications infrastructure is one of the most technically advanced in the world. Broadband coverage is available to virtually all commercial and residential buildings. Hong Kong's open markets ensures there are several competitive mobile phone and Internet service providers. Broadband Internet connection is available to over 98% of households in Hong Kong. 

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's RankSource
Infrastructure Competitiveness Rankings1The Global Financial Centres Index 25 2019
World's Innovation Capability Rankings26 (out of 140)The Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's Water Transport Rankings2The Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's Air Transport Rankings3The Global Competitiveness Report 2018
World's Digital Competitiveness Rankings11 (2 in Asia)IMD: World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2018
World's Best Network Services Rankings6The Global Competitiveness Report 2018

 

Quality of Life

Most foreign professionals and entrepreneurs who setup a business in Hong Kong tend to re-locate with their family.

Consequently most individuals are concerned about the quality of life in Hong Kong – the social environment, cost of living, accommodation, education etc.

  • The social and ethnic fabric is a unique blend of cultures and people rendering a cosmopolitan lifestyle.
  • The city is considered modern and westernised but unfortunately experiences a high level of air pollution and traffic congestion.
  • In Hong Kong you will find that residential rentals are expensive and are considered in line with those in major international cities such as London and New York.
  • Hong Kong is commonly cited as the food capital of China with a wide array of Chinese regional cuisines. It also offers equally impressive gastronomical fare to suit international tastes.
  • The public transportation system is well connected, clean, safe, efficient, reliable and above all affordable. Getting around Hong Kong is easy, given its wide network of buses, trains, ferries and taxis.
  • Hong Kong is home to several international schools which follow a curriculum identical to those in their home country. Given the impetus to evolve into a knowledge based economy, great emphasis is placed on education in Hong Kong and it provides nine years of free compulsory education for its citizens.
  • Hong Kong offers world class private and public health services and expert medical practitioners. The health-care environment is clean, efficient, safe and affordable.
  • There are several recreational activities to indulge in and Hong Kong boasts of a vibrant and exciting Nightlife and is often quoted as the ‘city that never sleeps.’
  • Hong Kong is said to have one of the lowest crime rates in the world and is often cited as a safe place to live in.

 

Ranking CategoryHong Kong's RankSource
Asia-Pacific Cities of the Future3fDi Intelligence Asia-Pacific Cities of the Future, 2017/18
World-wide Quality of Life (Family) Index20HSBC: Expat Explorer Survey 2018
World's Most Expensive City for Expats1Mercer: Cost of Living Ranking 2018
World's Most Expensive City for Rental Accommodation2Deutsche Bank, 2017
Best Security and Personal Safety in Asia4 (22 in the world)Legatum Institute: Legatum Prosperity Index 2018

https://www.guidemehongkong.com/why%20hong%20kong

 

HOW THE IRISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAN HELP

By joining the Irish Chamber of Commerce, we can facilitate meetings with members who have been down this route, from setting up their own companies, to setting up offices for companies with a global presence, our introductions can help you through the minefield of information. As a member you will be able to attend our events at a member’s rate, providing you with networking opportunities, industry insight and introductions to senior officials and business people.