Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Government’s First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address
Executive Summary
2026 marks the beginning of the Nation's 15th Five-Year Plan and presents an important context for Hong Kong to further
contribute to national development, deepen Greater Bay Area (GBA) collaboration, and reinforce its positioning as
international trade, financial, logistics and I&T centre.
Hong Kong has long thrived as the indispensable gateway between East and West, built upon a robust common law
system, world-class financial framework and deep institutional trust that anchors global commerce. Yet this foundation is
being reshaped by rapid digitalisation. Artificial intelligence (AI), cross-border e-commerce, supply chain restructuring and
growing importance of data are redefining how economies thrive. For Hong Kong, competitiveness will depend not only
on geographical connectivity, but also on the ability to facilitate trusted digital information flow across borders.
In this new era, data is the new currency, a strategic asset that underpins digital trade, drives economic growth,
and enables AI systems. AI-driven decisions are only as effective as the quality of data they consume, while digital
commerce depends on seamless, reliable and interoperable information flows. Hong Kong's ability to harness the value of
data and integrate into global digital infrastructure will therefore play a critical role in sustaining its international standing.
HKSAR Government is already advancing digital government, trade facilitation, innovation and technology, alongside the
Mainland's rapid evolvement into one of the world's most digitally advanced economies. The First Five-Year Plan, together
with the Policy Address and Budget, provides a clear roadmap to position Hong Kong as an international centre. As
the most internationalised city in the GBA, Hong Kong is expected to play a pivotal role in connecting the region with
global markets — with digital infrastructure central to fulfilling this role. With 90% of Hong Kong's businesses being
SMEs, this journey must be practical and accessible to all.
By embracing a digital-first strategy built upon structured, machine-readable data, Hong Kong can reinforce its traditional
strengths and elevate its role as a trusted two-way gateway — enabling businesses from Hong Kong, the Mainland, and
around the world to thrive in an increasingly interconnected economy. This paper proposes five strategic directions
that build on Hong Kong's existing strengths while preparing for digital future:
- Strengthening Supply Chain and Logistics Connectivity – Connect trade, logistics and customs platforms to
reduce friction, strengthen data interoperability with Mainland and alignment with international trade frameworks. - Advancing Digital Trade Finance – Leverage verified transactional data, encompassing product and entity
identification, as trusted alternative data sources for credit assessment and Know-Your-Customers (KYC), enabling
SMEs to access working capital more efficiently. - Expanding Market Access with Digital Product Passport (DPP) – Prepare Hong Kong enterprises for global
market access emerging requirements including Digital Product Passports, and proactively align with China’s DPP
framework development and international requirements. - Elevating HK Brands and Supporting the Go Global Strategy – Enable brands to build trust and differentiate
themselves through digital transparency, communicating product authenticity, safety, and sustainability; establish
Hong Kong certification badges, so as to empower brands to go global. - Enhancing Patient Safety – Strengthen traceability of pharmaceuticals and medical devices to improve patient
safety and align Hong Kong with global healthcare best practices.
Each recommendation draws on evidence from governments, regulators and industries worldwide that are already
adopting trusted data infrastructure to underpin digital trade, logistics and consumer protection. By adopting these
strategic directions, Hong Kong can enhance internal efficiency and reinforce its core competitive advantage as the
premier international centre bridging East and West.
