Attracting Global Talent to Hong Kong: Insights and Opportunities

As global markets evolve, cities around the world vie for global talent. Hong Kong, with its unique blend of opportunities, culture, and its status as a mature market, stands out as an ideal destination for talent seeking growth.

The advantages that make Hong Kong attractive are also sought after by global talent, as noted by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), which exchanged insights on global talent trends during about 40 visits in the Mainland and overseas in 2024.

Talent is the driving force that boosts economic development and competitiveness. It is estimated that the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) entrants will contribute directly to Hong Kong’s economy by an amount of some HKD$34 billion per annum, equivalent to about 1.2% of the local GDP.

As an office under the Labour and Welfare Bureau, HKTE is committed to promoting Hong Kong’s advantages, opportunities, and various talent admission schemes across different global markets, with the aim of building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent, aligned with the city’s strategic positioning of “eight centres”.

In recent months, I joined the HKTE delegation to the overseas including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Malaysia, as well as Mainland cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. We connected with global top 100 universities, leading industries and partners, and associations by organising over 80 promotional activities, in order to telling good stories of Hong Kong while understanding the needs of global talent.

Opportunities for “Eight Centres” Development

One prominent trend among global talent is their inclination towards specialised fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and data science. These areas are at the forefront of global digitalisation, and professionals in these fields are in high demand. Meanwhile, many individuals have expressed interest in pursuing opportunities in Hong Kong.

In November 2024, during our visit to Germany, we engaged with local young leaders and technology professionals, showcasing how Hong Kong offers a wealth of career advancement opportunities across various industries. Quite a few of young talents from the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Humboldt University of Berlin) were amazed by the city’s unparalleled prospects in AI technology and startups, recognising Hong Kong as a fertile ground for professionals to thrive.

Thereafter, we made a second trip to Canada in mid-January and hosted an exchange event with students and alumni from the University of Toronto, inviting industry experts to share their insights on career opportunities in engineering, FinTech, innovation, and the legal sectors. The young participants were impressed by Hong Kong’s diverse development environment and its connections to the Mainland market.

The feedback we received has reinforced one of our strategies: highlighting Hong Kong’s commitment to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, showcasing the abundant opportunities available in the city.

Balancing Career Development and Quality of Life

Another key observation is that many overseas talents are seeking a destination that enables them to focus on their career development while enjoying a high quality of life for themselves and their families.

During our visit to Malaysia last October, we hosted a themed seminar, inviting three Malaysian talents who have settled in Hong Kong to share their reasons for residing there and their experiences in the city. They all highlighted that Hong Kong is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the world, providing a stable environment for personal and professional growth.

One of the invited talents, who completed her further studies at the University of Hong Kong, noted that the city is the only one globally with five universities ranked among the top 100, making it an excellent choice for those seeking quality education for themselves or their children, as well as supporting research and development (R&D) activities.

With strong proficiency in both Chinese and English and a wide range of essential business skills, Hong Kong boasts a diverse and skilled workforce that enhances its global competitiveness. Its unique blend of Eastern and Western influences also creates a dynamic lifestyle for expatriates. This balance of career opportunities and personal well-being makes Hong Kong a highly attractive destination for global talent.

Addressing Settlement Uncertainties

Despite expressing a strong interest in developing their careers in Hong Kong, many talents often feel uncertain about how to navigate the settlement process. This lack of clarity can deter them from pursuing opportunities here.

Recognising this challenge, HKTE is committed to bridging the gap by providing comprehensive one-stop support services for incoming talents, facilitating their settlement and integration into the new environment for long-term development.

For example, to assist talents in finding jobs in the city, we offer information on employment and entrepreneurship through our online platform, featuring over 5,000 real-time job opportunities. In 2024, we organised 8 job fairs involving more than 1,400 employers and more than 280,000 participation times. This year, we have at least 12 job fairs scheduled.

We also host themed seminars or workshops covering various topics, such as business start-up, education, accommodation, and Cantonese learning, providing newcomers with practical information and support to help them settle in Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong positions itself as a global talent hub, understanding the needs and aspirations of international professionals is essential. In this regard, HKTE will continue its outreach efforts and conduct at least 15 visits across the Mainland, Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America to organise promotional activities in 2025.

We believe that only through increased promotion and communication can we help global talent gain a clear understanding of Hong Kong’s development achievements and opportunities. This will also enable us to better understand the global talent trends and provide them with a stage to showcase their abilities, thereby contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term development.
 

(Photo Credit: Hong Kong Talent Engage)