Time really does fly. Since 2004, I have served as the Legislative Council Representative of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce for five consecutive terms, and I am truly honoured to have had your support and trust all these years. However, all good things must come to an end, and I have decided not to seek re-election.

It feels as though these 21 years have gone by in the blink of an eye. I have observed the changes of our times alongside the Chamber and the business community as they surmounted every challenge and difficulty Hong Kong has encountered. The memories of the past remain vivid in my mind.

I still remember when the financial tsunami hit, and I proposed the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme for SMEs to help them endure the storm. In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged Hong Kong’s economy, I urged the Government to introduce initiatives such as the Employment Support Scheme, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme and the principal moratorium arrangement to support businesses, preserve jobs and stabilize the socio-economic situation.

Amid current geopolitical tensions and U.S. tariff measures, I am concerned about the difficulties faced by the business community. As such, I have had several meetings with senior officials of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, urging the authorities and the banking sector to support SMEs in their cash flow needs.

Hong Kong is on the cusp of a critical period of economic transformation. The Government is actively attracting investment and talent while leading the business community to explore new markets. I have been honoured to join government and Legislative Council delegations over the years to Europe, Asia and the Middle East to seek opportunities for economic cooperation.

It is encouraging to see that the Government adopted several of our suggestions to boost the economy, from optimizing the BUD Fund to enhancing the HKCEIC’s support for local businesses. These measures have strengthened the confidence and capacity of the business community to “go global” and explore new opportunities.

As the world changes and society evolves, we must adopt an innovative mindset to navigate this new era. The next generation will always outshine the previous one, so I look forward to seeing new faces serving the business community, voicing its concerns, offering suggestions to the Government and working towards the benefit of Hong Kong even in challenging times.

Stepping down from my role as a Legislative Council member does not mean I will become inactive. Moving forward, I will continue to share Hong Kong’s story on different platforms and stand with the business community regardless of the circumstances.

Jeffrey Lam
jeffrey@jeffreylam.hk