Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce President Chen Ruijuan: In the annual business outlook survey, 31% of the companies surveyed expect their business to grow by 2025.

On May 23, at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Chairperson Chen Ruijuan stated that in the past year, Hong Kong has faced economic challenges due to geopolitical instability. However, leveraging the advantage of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong has played a role as a super connector and super value-adding person, bridging the mainland and international markets. In 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.5%, showing a steady recovery; total goods exports increased by 8.7% year-on-year, demonstrating strong supply chain competitiveness. Foreign direct investment also surpassed HK$67 billion, with a nearly 10% increase, reflecting market confidence in Hong Kong. Regarding the capital market, Chen Ruijuan mentioned that in 2024, Hong Kong's IPO market ranked fourth globally, raising a total of over HK$80 billion. The listing of Contemporary Amperex Technology (03750) in Hong Kong propelled the city's IPO ranking to second globally. According to the chamber's annual Business Prospects Survey, Hong Kong companies are cautiously optimistic about the outlook for 2025. Despite global uncertainties, 31% of surveyed companies anticipate business growth. Members also see potential for development in mainland China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. When asked whether the impact of US tariffs will necessitate adjustments to future economic forecasts, Chen Ruijuan indicated that a survey conducted in November 2024 forecasted a 2.3% GDP growth for 2025, which is similar to the government's initial prediction. With actual first-quarter GDP growth at 3.1%, she believes the 2.3% estimate is conservative and does not require adjustment at the moment.