The HKSAR government is racing to draft Hong Kong's first-ever Five-Year Plan, aligning it with the country's upcoming "15th Five-Year Plan" and deepening the city's integration into the national development strategy. In this context, many foreign entrepreneurs who have long been based in Hong Kong are closely watching what comes next. Drawing on years of on-the-ground business experience, they see fresh opportunities emerging from national policies and Hong Kong's unique institutional strengths. From perspectives spanning the Middle East to Russia, they share their views and interpret Hong Kong's distinctive value—and potential—as a bridge for trade and economic cooperation between China and the world.
Irfan Karabulut, a Turkish businessman who has operated in Hong Kong for many years, said Chinese culture runs deep, and the mainland's trade and commercial development have delivered clear results. Yet, he noted, some forces in Europe and the U.S. have continued to apply pressure and spread unfounded smears, attempting to force concessions in certain areas. In his view, as China continues to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, Hong Kong—backed by low taxes, a mature rule-of-law system, a multilingual business environment, and the institutional assurance and credibility provided under "one country, two systems"—is well positioned as a high-quality gateway linking the mainland with Middle Eastern markets. He also suggested that Hong Kong accelerate the commercialization of innovation and technology and improve halal food and related facilities to further enhance its appeal to Middle Eastern investors.
Russian jeweler Marat Bogatyrev also voiced strong confidence in Hong Kong's prospects. With support from the national five-year plan, he believes Hong Kong could return to the world's top tier in finance, trade, and logistics over the next five to ten years. He proposed a "triple-win" concept—benefiting the country, benefiting Hong Kong, and benefiting overseas partners. Marat stressed that Hong Kong, as a "super connector" between the mainland and global markets, is playing a more critical hub role now than at any time before.
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