Key Takeaways
- Hong Kong welcomed 18 new strategic enterprises on 22 October 2026, with half from the Chinese Mainland and half from overseas.
- The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) portfolio now totals 142 strategic enterprises.
- Expected investment across the programme reaches about HK$84 billion, with around 27,000 jobs forecast.
- The first six batches beat investment expectations by 30% and job expectations by 34%, occupying over 2.8 million sq ft of space.
- New partners span advanced manufacturing, new energy, AI, life and health technology, fintech, and cultural and creative technology.
- A one-year business registration certificate costs HK$2,350 for certificates commencing from 1 April 2026.
What Has Hong Kong's Strategic Enterprise Programme Announced?
Hong Kong's strategic enterprise programme has just admitted 18 more companies. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) announced the new partners on 22 October 2026, each of which is establishing or expanding its presence in Hong Kong. In this article, we explore the intake, investment and job forecasts, and what the programme means for businesses.
Half of the newcomers come from the Chinese Mainland, while the other half come from various parts of the world. According to the Hong Kong Government, several of the new partners hold market capitalisations or valuations exceeding HK$100 billion.
The newcomers operate across advanced manufacturing, new energy, artificial intelligence (AI), life and health technology, fintech, and cultural and creative technology. The intake lifts the total number of enterprises admitted under the programme to 142 since its launch.
How Much Investment and How Many Jobs Are Expected?
The 142 Hong Kong strategic enterprises are together expected to bring in about HK$84 billion of investment and create around 27,000 jobs. The figures were confirmed at the 22 October ceremony and cover every batch admitted to date.
Delivery has already outrun the original plan. Across the first six batches, total investment exceeded expectations by 30%, while jobs created surpassed forecasts by 34%. Together, these enterprises occupy more than 2.8 million sq ft of commercial and industrial space.
For landlords, contractors and professional services providers, the outperformance points to sustained occupier demand. It also signals that committed projects are converting from announcements into staffed operations.
Why Do Strategic Enterprises Matter for Hong Kong's Economy?
OASES has emphasised that the new arrivals bring more than capital, technology and talent. The office expects them to act as chain leaders, drawing upstream and downstream enterprises and partners to Hong Kong.
Two examples from the new intake show the breadth involved. One enterprise has built real-time, AI-empowered risk scores that predict patient deterioration in general wards and intensive care units, allowing earlier medical intervention. Another will deploy AI-enabled smart vehicle and Internet of Vehicles applications in the city, using Hong Kong as a testing ground for green and smart mobility across the region.
By clustering suppliers, investors and talent around these anchors, the programme deepens integration across the industry, innovation and capital chains. That supports Hong Kong's standing as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. For incoming groups, the advantages of setting up a company in Hong Kong remain its simple tax regime, common law framework and gateway position to mainland China.
What It Means for Businesses Expanding into Hong Kong
The arrival of 142 strategic enterprises extends opportunities well beyond the headline tenants. Supply-chain partners, logistics operators and technology vendors can expect a larger client base. Alongside OASES, InvestHK continues to assist overseas and mainland companies planning a Hong Kong presence.
New entrants still follow the standard registration route. Foreign investors can incorporate a local company or register a non-Hong Kong company with the Companies Registry, with business registration generally handled at the same time through the one-stop service. For certificates commencing from 1 April 2026, a one-year business registration certificate costs HK$2,350, comprising the HK$2,200 fee and the restored HK$150 levy. The two-year levy waiver ended on 31 March 2026. Electronic incorporation of a company having a share capital attracts a Companies Registry fee of HK$1,545; fees for companies limited by guarantee vary with their number of members.
Operating companies should also note the 2026-27 Budget measures confirmed by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). These include a one-off reduction of 100% of final profits tax for the year of assessment 2025/26, capped at HK$3,000 per case.
3E Accounting Hong Kong, a Corporate Services Provider, supports mainland and overseas groups with incorporation, corporate secretarial, tax and business advisory services. Running a free Hong Kong company name check early helps incoming businesses assess name availability before filing, but it does not reserve or secure the name.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a government initiative delivered through the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), which recruits high-value companies in strategic industries to establish or expand in Hong Kong. As of October 2026, it covers 142 enterprises.
About HK$84 billion in total, with around 27,000 jobs expected, according to the Hong Kong Government's 22 October 2026 announcement.
Half are from the Chinese Mainland and half from other parts of the world. They span advanced manufacturing, new energy, AI, life and health technology, fintech, and cultural and creative technology.
Total investment from the first six batches exceeded expectations by 30%, and job creation by 34%. These enterprises have taken up more than 2.8 million sq ft of commercial and industrial space.
HK$2,350 for certificates commencing from 1 April 2026, comprising the HK$2,200 fee and the restored HK$150 levy, per the Inland Revenue Department's published table.
