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May Dedicatoria - Philstar.com
March 9, 2026 | 1:00pm
MANILA, Philippines — High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and families plan beyond asset accumulation. They are constantly looking for efficient ways to preserve their legacy and pass it on to future generations.
Hong Kong is a familiar destination for many high-net-worth families from the Philippines, offering a roughly two-hour flight and a high quality of life and experiences.
However, as the global economic landscape evolves, these families are increasingly considering not just tourism and leisure, but also seeking certainty in wealth, stability in living conditions, and sustainable development for their families in this strategic financial base.
Built on depth and credibility
In the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) 38, Hong Kong ranked third globally and first in the Asia-Pacific region, boosting its status as a trusted and competitive financial hub.
The city is also Asia’s largest cross-border wealth management center and consistently ranks among the world’s top jurisdictions for investment environment, enterprise conditions and trade openness.
How deep is its financial ecosystem? Seventy of the world’s 100 largest banks operate in Hong Kong, providing Filipino investors access to global banking, private wealth management and capital markets expertise within a single jurisdiction.
Hong Kong’s capital markets also remain as one of its most compelling strengths. IPO fundraising ranked first in the world—exceeding US$36 billion, with four listings among the global top 10 this year.
It’s worth noting that two-thirds of cornerstone investors in major listings are foreign institutions, including global asset managers and sovereign wealth funds.
New investment opportunities
From equities and bonds to real estate, the city offers multiple avenues for HNWIs to allocate capital according to risk appetite, time horizon and strategic objectives.
Supporting this is Hong Kong’s favorable tax regime. Corporate profits are taxed at 8.25% for the first HK$2 million and 16.5% thereafter. Salary tax is capped at progressive rates ranging from 2% to 17%.
There is no sales tax or VAT, no capital gains tax, no tax on dividends, no withholding tax, and no estate or inheritance tax—making Hong Kong particularly attractive for long-term wealth preservation and intergenerational planning.
Sophisticated wealth structuring
Hong Kong also serves as a base for professional advisory and wealth structuring strategies. The city’s transparent legal framework, rooted in common law, provides certainty and consistency for investors working with banks, legal firms, trust companies and tax advisers.
Within this broader financial ecosystem, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) provides an additional channel for qualified investors to participate more fully in Hong Kong’s investment landscape.
Launched in March 2024, the New CIES allows eligible applicants who meet the net asset and investment requirements to engage directly with the city’s markets while maintaining exposure to its financial opportunities in the journey to secure the permanent residency.
The enhancements in 2025—including the flexibility to hold permissible investment assets under the Scheme through family-owned investment vehicles of the investors—create further synergy with Hong Kong’s family office framework and tax concession regime.
Under the same Single Family Office with a minimum asset threshold of HK$240 million, it can facilitate up to eight family members to apply for New CIES and acquire permanent residency for their own families.
The recent relaxation on the requirements of investment in real estate further appeals to investors who are looking for an ideal home for their families to settle in the city.
While the New CIES is not the primary driver for investment decisions, it complements Hong Kong’s broader value proposition by aligning capital participation with long-term planning considerations.
As Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, shared, “Hong Kong offers global families an unrivaled combination: direct access to China's vast opportunities, a market of 1.4 billion consumers, a sophisticated wealth management ecosystem within a trusted common law framework, a highly favorable tax regime and an exceptional quality of life which is very safe for bringing up families.”
For HNW Filipinos, Hong Kong’s appeal lies in the way its capital markets, innovation ecosystem, regulatory transparency and tax efficiency work together.
Global economic conditions are evolving, but Hong Kong continues to offer what discerning investors value most: a stable, credible and strategically positioned financial base.
Editor's Note: This #BrandSpace story is produced by the Advertising Content Team that is independent of our Editorial newsroom.
