Page 182 - AmCham South China 2026 Special Report on the State of Business in South China

efficacy. Continuously strengthening the promotion In October 2023, the Hong Kong government
of district-based Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), unveiled further action agenda, a plan that outlines
promoting ¡°ICH Around Town¡±. the four major zones in the Northern Metropolis,
namely the high-end professional services and
- Enhancing support for SMEs and social logistics hub, the I&T zone, the boundary commerce
inclusion initiatives and industry zone and the blue and green
recreation, tourism and conservation circle. The
? The government introduced 11 relief government also encourages local, mainland and
measures for SMEs in response to economic overseas enterprises to participate in the Northern
headwinds and the rising trend of northbound Metropolis development. Over 85 enterprises
consumption, including extended financing have signed a memorandum of understanding
support, fee reductions and increased digital about supporting and participating in the Northern
transformation subsidies. Metropolis development and 32 enterprises have
also signed agreements among them in relation to
? Social policies include doubling the the Northern Metropolis development, with a total
additional child allowance for newborns, subsidies investment of over HK$100 billion .
155
for elderly retiring in Guangdong, expanded
non-local student quotas and hostel supply and In the 2025 Policy Address, the government
incentives for households leaving welfare. announced the establishment of the Committee
on Development of the Northern Metropolis 156
- Building a green hub and connecting the with the aim of speeding up the development
Belt and Road of the area by streamlining administrative
workflows and removing unnecessary barriers
? Reaffirming Hong Kong¡¯s role as a and restrictions. The committee will be comprised
diversified international hub, proposing a suite of of three working groups:
innovative initiatives ? including aircraft recycling,
EV battery circular economy solutions and the ? The Devising Development & Operation
establishment of a green maritime fuel bunkering Models working group, which will be led by the
center ? while strengthening green cooperation Financial Secretary, will formulate development
with BRI partner countries to solidify Hong Kong¡¯s and operation models for industry parks in the
position as a global green hub. Northern Metropolis.

A closer look: The Northern Metropolis ? The Chief Secretary will lead the Planning
Strategy & Construction of the University Town working
154
group, which will set up a research task force to
In October 2021, Hong Kong announced conduct field trips on the successful models of
the ¡°Development Strategy for the Northern university towns elsewhere, seeking views from
Metropolitan Area¡±, aiming to build it into a livable, local, Chinese mainland and other internationally
business and tourism friendly area with innovation renowned universities. Three batches of sites for
and technology as the economic engine. The Area the Northern Metropolis University Town will be
covers two district administration areas including available for use ? Hung Shui Kiu in 2026, Ngau
Yuen Long District and North District, with a total Tam Mei in 2028 and New Territories North New
land area of about 300 km . It will serve as an Town in 2030 ? at the earliest.
2
innovative complement to the existing Harbour
Metropolis and be developed as an international ? The Planning & Development working
innovation and technology hub which is anticipated group will be responsible for managing the end-
to offer 650,000 jobs, including 150,000 innovation
and technology industry-related jobs. 155 Xinhua News, https://www.xinhuanet.com/house
/20250117/32e4a00e7aec4307b43054385ba88369/c.
html
154 The Northern Metropolis Action Plan, http://qh.sz. 156 The Chief Executive¡¯s 2025 Policy Address, https://
gov.cn/sygnan/qhzx/dtzx/content/post_10925715.html www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2025/en/policy.html

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