Edward So, President of the China Hong Kong Go Global Association and a practising Certified Public Accountant, said the business community is watching closely to see whether the upcoming Policy Address will introduce more targeted and actionable measures—especially those that can help SMEs maintain confidence, expand markets, and strengthen competitiveness during a period of economic transition. In his view, the business sector is looking for clearer policy direction and practical support in three areas.
First, So called for stronger financial support for SMEs, citing schemes such as the BUD Fund. He stressed that funding should not merely be available on paper; it should be designed with stronger direction and incentives, so that it genuinely helps companies "do business" and "do promotion." Such support, he argued, would enable SMEs to scale up while also contributing to Hong Kong's overall economic development.
Second, he said that beyond attracting talent, Hong Kong needs to retain talent and make better use of it. While acknowledging that Hong Kong has already taken significant steps and drawn in many people through channels such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme and investment migration, he observed that some may return to the Mainland soon after arriving—meaning their time working in, living in, or serving Hong Kong may be limited, and their contribution may fall short of expectations. To address this, he suggested exploring reasonable requirements, such as a minimum period of residency in Hong Kong each year (for example, three to six months) or work-related requirements. He also noted that it is important to encourage—or where appropriate, require—talent to work in fields aligned with their expertise, to avoid situations where high-end specialists take up unrelated roles, resulting in a waste of skills and a weaker impact on the local economy.
Third, So urged the government to accelerate AI adoption among SMEs. While AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, he said uptake remains relatively low among Hong Kong SMEs, with limited real-world use cases. He proposed providing more subsidies and structured guidance—such as support for AI training programmes and hands-on advisory services. Institutions like the Hong Kong Productivity Council, he added, could play a role by offering practical, scenario-based guidance to help SMEs identify viable applications. Wider adoption of AI, he argued, would improve efficiency and create new business opportunities. "Roads are made by people who walk them," he said, adding that new paths can be difficult at the start, but with the right talent and policy support, they can open up a new direction for Hong Kong's future.
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