What Changed
- Assisted over 360 Mainland enterprises between October 2025 and September 2026, bringing an estimated HK$61.3 billion in direct investment to Hong Kong SAR.
- Outbound missions to Central Asia and Malaysia yielded significant cross-border agreements, including 96 MOUs/agreements exceeding US$1.65 billion in Central Asia.
- GoGlobal Connect is expanding its 8 professional service categories to include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services following the 2026 Policy Address.
Background
Under the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong SAR is tasked with leveraging its professional services to enhance its function as a springboard for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking international expansion ("going global"). The objective is to establish a comprehensive overseas service system delivering one-stop, high-quality, and high value-added professional corporate services.
To drive this strategy, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) in October 2025. Steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), Mr Algernon Yau, the task force coordinates efforts across Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong’s Mainland offices, and a network of 15 overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs). The task force operates through a structured three-step approach: "bringing in", getting ready, and going global.
Performance Metrics and Substantive Results
The 2025 Policy Address established an overall key performance indicator to attract at least 1,200 Chinese Mainland or overseas enterprises to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong SAR across 2026 and 2027.
In a written response delivered to the Legislative Council on November 4, 2026, the authorities reported the following progress achieved by the GoGlobal Task Force between October 2025 and September 2026:
- Assisting over 360 Chinese Mainland enterprises from various provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions to establish or expand operations in Hong Kong SAR.
- Supporting these enterprises with listing, raising capital, aligning with overseas standards, obtaining industry certifications, and meeting international compliance requirements.
- Facilitating corporate positioning such that approximately 30 per cent of these assisted enterprises operate their Hong Kong presence as international or regional headquarters, corporate treasury centres (CTCs), or other high value-added functions.
- Bringing an estimated HK$61.3 billion in direct investment to Hong Kong SAR and creating approximately 8,500 new jobs.
The assisted enterprises operate across key sectors including transport, logistics, and industrials; financial technology; innovation and technology; tourism and hospitality; digital technology and data innovation; and life and health sciences.
Specific operational developments include a Fortune Global 500 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) enterprise that set up a corporate treasury centre and research and development (R&D) centre in Hong Kong SAR to advance TCM internationalisation, and an artificial intelligence technology company that connected with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation to establish an R&D base targeted at overseas markets.
Targeted Support and Institutional Collaboration
To deepen support mechanisms, the 2026 Policy Address announced enhanced collaboration between the GoGlobal Task Force and trade associations in both Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR. Key institutions involved include local branches of the Federation of Industry and Commerce and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
This framework involves holding industry-focused briefings and seminars across various provinces and municipalities to help Mainland enterprises prepare for overseas expansion at an earlier stage. Additionally, in February 2026, CEDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China to strengthen cooperation and exchange in providing comprehensive overseas services.
Outbound Delegations and Market Connections
Organising official overseas duty visits led by Principal Officials is a core mechanism for connecting Mainland enterprises directly with foreign markets:
- June 2026 (Central Asia): The Chief Executive led a delegation of over 30 Chinese Mainland enterprise representatives to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, resulting in 96 cooperation agreements and MOUs with an aggregate value exceeding US$1.65 billion.
- August 2026 (Southeast Asia): The SCED led over 10 Chinese Mainland enterprises to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yielding two MOUs with local entities and an MOU between InvestHK and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
- 2027 Planning: Further missions are planned for 2027 based on official visit schedules, market developments, enterprise investment plans, and existing trade links. (Hong Kong SAR currently maintains 9 Free Trade Agreements across 21 economies and 25 Investment Agreements across 34 overseas economies).
GoGlobal Connect and ESG Expansion
In April 2026, the task force launched the Cross-sectoral Professional Services Platform, known as "GoGlobal Connect". The platform initially gathered over 220 professional service providers across eight groups: financial services; legal services; accounting, tax and business advisory; design, marketing and brand management; logistics and transportation; telecommunications and information technology; infrastructure and real estate; and testing and certification.
To date, GoGlobal Connect has processed around 300 expansion-related enquiries through online and offline channels. Following the 2026 Policy Address, the platform is expanding to include a ninth group dedicated to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services to help Mainland enterprises meet foreign market access and technical standards.
Practical Implications
For Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong SAR serves as a legal, financial, and compliance gateway for international expansion and capital raising. For professional service providers in Hong Kong SAR, the expansion of GoGlobal Connect and institutional links with Mainland trade bodies create formalized avenues to offer legal, tax, financial, and ESG advisory services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the GoGlobal Task Force and who leads it?
A1: Established in October 2025 by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), the GoGlobal Task Force is steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. It mobilises InvestHK, the HKTDC, and Hong Kong SAR's Mainland and overseas offices to assist Mainland enterprises going global.
Q2: What key metrics has the GoGlobal Task Force achieved since its creation?
A2: Between October 2025 and September 2026, it assisted over 360 Mainland enterprises, with ~30% establishing regional/international headquarters or corporate treasury centres. These enterprises are estimated to bring HK$61.3 billion in direct investment and create ~8,500 jobs.
Q3: What outcomes were delivered by official outbound visits in 2026?
A3: A June 2026 visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan resulted in 96 agreements/MOUs exceeding US$1.65 billion. An August 2026 visit to Malaysia resulted in two enterprise MOUs and an MOU between InvestHK and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
Q4: What new sector is being added to the GoGlobal Connect platform?
A4: Originally covering eight professional categories, GoGlobal Connect is adding a ninth sector for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services as announced in the 2026 Policy Address.
Who May Be Affected
Mainland Chinese enterprises expanding overseas, Hong Kong SAR professional service providers, trade associations, and corporate treasury centres.
Cross-Border Context
Connects Mainland Chinese enterprises with international markets (Central Asia, ASEAN) using Hong Kong SAR as a regional headquarters, treasury hub, and compliance/ESG advisory base.
What to check next
- Subsequent policy announcements on the formal launch of the ESG service sector on the GoGlobal Connect platform and the schedule for 2027 official outbound missions.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.