Beijing—Hong Kong SAR’s 2026-2027 budget dropped February 25, its striking purple cover representing unyielding economic drive in a volatile world.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po unpacked a success story: 3.5 percent growth last year from export strength, consumption leaps, and investment surges—the third year running of positive momentum.
Projections: 2.5-3.5 percent expansion ahead, inflation steady at 1.8 percent. ‘We’re building on momentum,’ Chan affirmed.
Enter the game-changer: Chan will head the ‘AI+ and Industrial Development Strategy Committee.’ Amid exploding AI progress and novel tech frontiers, it will devise strategies and environments for industrial leaps. Key players—experts, businesses, academia, industry parks—join, zeroing in on life sciences, healthcare, and physical AI.
The budget weaves fiscal prudence with visionary tech bets. Enhanced funding for innovation clusters promises to supercharge sectors. Consumer and investment incentives ensure broad-based growth.
Observers hail the proactive stance. ‘Hong Kong is positioning for the AI revolution,’ remarked a policy watcher. This aligns with national priorities, amplifying the SAR’s gateway role.
Challenges like geopolitical tensions loom, but internal dynamics impress. The budget closes with a call to action: unite for transformative growth. Hong Kong’s economic narrative evolves—from finance titan to AI vanguard.