Set aside $1 billion to establish the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute to promote the application of research outcomes
HKIC to host the first International Conference on Embodied AI Robot and International Young Scientist Forum on Artificial Intelligence
Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme: $100 million earmarked to provide funding of up to $250,000 on a 1 (government) to 2 (company) matching basis to enterprises. The scheme will launch this year
Study the streamlining of vetting procedures of licence applications for operating Low Earth Orbit satellites
HKEX will establish a dedicated “technology enterprises channel” (“TECH”) to help companies prepare for listing applications
Invite institutions to submit proposals for the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster
Review tax-deduction arrangements for purchase of intellectual property usage rights and related transactions
World Intellectual Property Organization’s publication event of the top 100 science and technology clusters to be held in Hong Kong this year
Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox: announcing results soon; consider dedicated legislation for various types of Advanced Air Mobility
HKTDC to add thematic pop-up display area during major innovation and technology exhibitions to showcase high-quality innovative technology products
Finance
Improve vetting process for listing, optimise thresholds for listing, review market structure and more
Propose measures to enhance the “board lot” system and issuance mechanism for structured products and increase position limits for key index derivatives
Formulate proposals on enhancing preferential tax regimes for funds and single family offices
Host the Hong Kong Global Financial and Industry Summit and a flagship forum on fixed income and currencies
Propose measures to promote gold market development this year
Announce second policy statement on the development of virtual assets and conduct consultation on licensing regimes of virtual asset over-the-counter trading services and custodian services
Explore enhancement measures to the legal and regulatory regime related to issuance and transactions of digital bonds
Extend pilot grant scheme on insurance-linked securities for 3 years
Implement linkage of faster payment systems between the Mainland and Hong Kong in the middle of the year earliest
Launch public consultation on specific proposals of MPF “Full Portability” this year
Trade
Multinational Supply Chain Management Centre: continue to support Mainland enterprises to go global and provide credit insurance, one-stop professional consulting services, etc.
Encourage sectors to hold events around the Belt and Road Summit period
Consider legislative amendments to enable trade document digitalisation
Shipping
Propose provision of half-rate tax concessions to eligible commodity traders. Target to introduce a bill into the Legislative Council next year
Establish the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board this year to strengthen research, promotion and manpower training
Allocate over $210 million to install the port community system, enhancing the flow and sharing of data among stakeholders in the maritime, port and logistics industries
Announce findings of the study on a development model for logistics sites in the Northern Metropolis
Aviation
Hong Kong International Aviation Academy: expand its training programmes to cover C919 aircraft-related subjects
Promote Hong Kong’s development into Asia’s first aircraft dismantling, parts recycling, processing and trading centre
Healthcare
Release timetable for establishing the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and roadmap for adoption of “primary evaluation” in the first half of this year
Set aside resources to support, on a matching basis, universities in developing a third medical school
Cultural and Creative Industries
Organise the second edition of the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo next year
OASES to attract cultural and creative enterprises that integrate technologies in business
Support over 30 cultural IP projects in the next 5 years
Tourism Everywhere
Allocate $1.23 billion to the Hong Kong Tourism Board to pursue “tourism is everywhere” concept and implement Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0
2025 WTCF Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit to be held in Hong Kong in April for the first time
Earmark resources to encourage cruise lines to increase their number of ship calls to Hong Kong, make overnight calls and use Hong Kong as homeport
Strategically attract sports events that can bring significant economic benefits in Hong Kong, e.g. LIV Golf
Set up refreshment stalls at harbourfront locations in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and North Point
Study to re-plan the waterfront and former pier sites to the south of the Hung Hom Station into a new harbourfront landmark, including major commercial and residential developments and a yacht club
Green Development
InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong to become GreenTech Hub, housing over 200 green technology companies
Launch a $300 million subsidy scheme in the middle of the year to encourage the industry to install fast chargers across the city
Additional funding of $180 million to increase the number of residential food waste smart recycling bins or food waste-collection facilities across the city
Provide tax exemptions for green methanol used for bunkering
Announce a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) consumption target this year
Earmark $470 million for subsidising franchised bus operators to purchase 600 electric buses and over $130 million for subsidising the taxi trade to purchase 3 000 electric taxis
Extend the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme to 2028
