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May Dedicatoria - Philstar.com
February 6, 2026 | 12:00pm
MANILA, Philippines — Regional and global markets are recalibrating, and locally, Philippine companies are looking beyond domestic borders to secure growth, capital and long-term competitiveness.
Hong Kong stands out as a financial center as well as a strategic base for business expansion, capital deployment and regional connectivity converge.
Proof of this is the major city’s record-high figures from its “2025 Annual Survey of Companies with Parent Companies Located Outside Hong Kong” and its “2025 Startup Survey,” which underscore the city’s sustained appeal to international enterprises and fast-growing ventures.
In 2025, the city welcomed 11,070 companies with overseas or Chinese Mainland parent companies, up 11% from last year, while start-ups increased to 5,221, both reaching record highs.
Together, the findings reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a preferred location for regional headquarters and cross-border business strategies.
HK as a global hub
Hong Kong’s attractiveness is backed by deep capital markets, a transparent regulatory environment and world-class infrastructure that supports companies at every stage of growth.
It continues to be Asia’s leading international financial center that ranks among the world’s top IPO venues, particularly for Southeast Asian issuers, while offering a business-friendly tax regime and seamless capital flows.
Whether conglomerates, family-led enterprises or high-growth startups, Philippine companies can take advantage of this ecosystem that gives access to sophisticated financial services, investors and a mature professional advisory landscape.
ASEAN momentum and opportunity
Hong Kong’s strong trade and investment links with ASEAN only strengthen its value proposition for Philippine firms.
In 2024, ASEAN was Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner, with total merchandise trade reaching P9.8 trillion and accounting for 13.6% of Hong Kong’s global trade. Trade between Hong Kong and ASEAN also posted steady growth, expanding at an average annual rate of 5.7% from 2020 to 2024.
The Philippines plays a meaningful role in this relationship. In 2024, total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the Philippines amounted to P823.8 billion, placing the Philippines fifth among Hong Kong’s top ASEAN trading partners.
Philippine exports to Hong Kong benefit from zero tariffs, boosting the city’s position as a frictionless entry point for regional trade.
Hong Kong also serves as an important entrepôt for ASEAN–Chinese Mainland commerce, with re-export trade between ASEAN and the Mainland via Hong Kong reaching P4.72 trillion in 2024.
For Philippine conglomerates and family-owned groups, Hong Kong’s appeal extends beyond expansion. The city offers a stable, internationally trusted environment for operations, investments and engaging professional advisors.
With no restrictions on capital movement and a regulatory framework aligned with major global markets, Hong Kong allows Philippine businesses to operate efficiently while remaining connected to opportunities across Asia.
This makes it an increasingly attractive base not only for operating companies, but also for holding structures, regional management teams and family-led investment vehicles.
InvestHK as a partner in expansion
Supporting the momentum is Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the investment promotion agency of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It provides free, end-to-end support to overseas companies—from initial market entry and business setup to expansion and ongoing operations.
In fact, InvestHK just hosted an ASEAN Business Community Reception last month, offering the ASEAN business community a prime opportunity to forge new connections, strengthen existing relationships, and explore potential collaborations within the thriving ASEAN-Hong Kong business ecosystem.
Through InvestHK, Philippine firms exploring Hong Kong can be guided on setting up regional headquarters, navigating regulatory requirements, connecting with professional service providers and integrating into the city’s startup and innovation ecosystem.
With record-high numbers of international companies and startups reinforcing Hong Kong’s global appeal, the window for Philippine businesses to establish a strategic presence is wide open.
Whether the goal is capital raising, expansion or long-term enterprise building, Hong Kong is still a compelling platform for operational certainty, growth and global opportunity.
For more information on how InvestHK can support your expansion, visit investhk.gov.hk/en/ or email [email protected].
Editor's Note: This #Brandspace story is produced by the Advertising Content Team that is independent of our Editorial newsroom.
