Writing in his weekly blog on September 27, Financial Secretary Paul Chan signalled that attracting world-class artificial-intelligence talent has become a strategic imperative for Hong Kong. Citing a 53 per cent jump in electronics exports for August, Chan argued that AI-related demand is already reshaping the city’s trade profile and could add 3.5-4.5 per cent to GDP this year. Chan said the government will expand its repertoire of more than 200 subsidised AI training courses by 2028 and will step up overseas promotion of existing immigration pathways, such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS). Officials are also studying further visa-free short-stay concessions for conference speakers, researchers and venture-capital mentors, he added. Business groups welcomed the remarks but warned that Hong Kong competes with Singapore, Dubai and Shenzhen for the same specialists. “The hurdle is no longer salary; it’s lifestyle and research autonomy,” one fintech CEO told RTHK. Proposals to create a ‘digital-nomad’ visa category and to streamline dependant-visa processing for spouses are gaining traction among legislators. For multinational HR teams, the policy emphasis means faster processing times for critical-hire permits may be available in coming quarters. Companies were advised to bundle work-visa applications with TechTAS quotas where possible and to monitor upcoming policy-address announcements for fresh incentives—particularly housing or tax rebates aimed at AI researchers. Chan is currently in Doha for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank annual meeting, where he plans to showcase Hong Kong’s capabilities in infrastructure digitisation and regional connectivity—another signal that the city wants to position itself as a hub for both capital and cutting-edge talent.
Source: RTHK
