Economy
Foreign investments in China down to 18-year low in 2022
                                                                                 
                    
                    One of the primary hurdles is the language barrier.
                
                                
            Foreign investments in China down to 18-year low in 2022
                                                                                                                 
                            
                            One of the primary hurdles is the language barrier.
                        
                                                
                        
    
                    CPA Australia urges Hong Kong to enhance business competiveness in budget
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The committee also expects Hong Kong to address the deficit in Budget 2023-24
                    
                                        
                    
                Provisional retail sales up 7.8% YoY in December 2023
                                                                                                 
                        
                        For the whole year, Hong Kong saw a 16.2% increase in retail sales value.
                    
                                        
                    
                Economy grows 4.3% YoY in 4Q23
                                                                                                 
                        
                        For the whole of 2023, GDP grew 3.2% YoY.
                    
                                        
                    
                These are the best and worst performing sectors in Hong Kong according to StandChart's SME Index
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Finance and Insurance was the best performing sector for the first quarter.
                    
                                        
                    
                Hong Kong launches 1st gas-powered food waste processing machine
                                                                                                 
                        
                        It will reduce food waste by over 90%.
                    
                                        
                    
                Exports value rises 11% YoY to $386.4b in December 2023
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The pace of increase has picked up.
                    
                                        
                    
                HK, Croatia inks tax agreement
                                                                                                 
                        
                        This will serve as a guide for investors on potential tax liabilities.
                    
                                        
                    
                Gov’t introduces new measures to bolster financial ties with China
                                                                                                 
                        
                        These measures will also benefit Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.
                    
                                        
                    
                Consumer prices rise 2.4% YoY in December
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The December inflation is lower than the November record of 2.6%.
                    
                                        
                    
                Jobless rate unchanged at 2.9%
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The total number of unemployed people stands at 105,700.
                    
                                        
                    
                Basic food items consume 26% of employees' minimum wage earnings
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Employees earn a minimum of $6,933 net monthly.
                    
                                        
                    
                HK Chief Exec concerned over Cathay Pacific flight cancellations
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The Transport & Logistics Bureau will be in contact with the airlines’ management, CE John Lee said.
                    
                                        
                    
                2024-2025 budget likely to focus on boosting recovery: expert
                                                                                                 
                        
                        UOB experts expect measures on housing, low fertility, and talent.
                    
                                        
                    
                Unemployment rate remains at 2.9%
                                                                                                 
                        
                        There were 112,400 unemployed people from September to November.
                    
                                        
                    
                Hong Kong kicks off public consultation on the 2024-25 budget
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The 2024-25 budget will pursue development aimed at promoting stability.
                    
                                        
                    
                Exports to grow by 4% to 6% in 2024
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Exporters will focus on cash flow management next year.
                    
                                        
                    
                 
            	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                             
                             
                     
                             
           
                                 
                                 
                                 
               
                                     
                                     
                                     
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                