Eighteen new strategic enterprises, including Nasdaq-listed fintech firm Solana and healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, have committed more than HK$10 billion in investment and plan to create approximately 1,600 jobs in Hong Kong. The latest cohort, spanning industries such as artificial intelligence, health technology, fintech, advanced manufacturing, and new energy technology, signed agreements yesterday with the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), a government initiative under the Financial Secretary’s Office aimed at drawing companies of strategic importance to the city.
About half of the newly recruited companies are based in mainland China, with the remainder coming from other regions. This marks the seventh batch of firms drawn to Hong Kong under the OASES programme. Since its inception, the office has attracted 142 enterprises across seven rounds of recruitment, with expected investments totaling HK$84 billion and projecting the creation of roughly 27,000 jobs in the coming years.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, who attended the signing ceremony alongside Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering an environment that supports greater impact by enhancing connections among finance, research, talent, and industry. Chan also highlighted policies aimed at facilitating companies as they expand operations and develop products and services within the city.
Investment returns from the companies attracted in the previous six rounds have reportedly exceeded expectations by 30%, while job creation has surpassed projections by 34%. These firms have collectively occupied over 2.8 million square feet of commercial and industrial space in Hong Kong.
Peter Yan King-shun, director general of OASES, noted the high-value nature of the new jobs expected, focusing heavily on research and development talent. “Many of these roles will help Hong Kong retain the skilled workforce nurtured by local universities,” he said. Yan also indicated that while current efforts concentrate on sectors including life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech, advanced manufacturing, new energy technology, and cultural and creative technology, the office is open to incorporating additional industries in future strategic recruitment drives.
Following directions outlined in this year’s budget, OASES is actively exploring the aerospace sector and has already engaged with leading companies in that field.
Participating enterprises are required to submit detailed five-year plans that specify investment commitments, job creation targets, and concrete project milestones for their operations in Hong Kong.
Among the newcomers, Solana—a firm specializing in blockchain-based, low-cost, and instant global transaction solutions—chose Hong Kong over other regional hubs such as Japan and Singapore for its Asia-Pacific headquarters. Joseph Chee, Solana’s chairman and CEO, cited the city’s status as a global financial center with advanced infrastructure and a stable legal and regulatory environment as key factors. He also acknowledged support from OASES in facilitating office leasing, staff recruitment, and visa processing.