29 May marked an extraordinary milestone for the HKGCC – our 165th Anniversary. Since our founding in 1861, the Chamber has stood as the beating heart of Hong Kong’s business community, championing economic progress and forging the vital connections that have shaped our city into a global financial powerhouse.
As we celebrate this landmark journey, we are not merely looking back at our rich history; we are actively charting the course for our next chapter. This year, we have rolled out a comprehensive series of flagship initiatives designed to honour our heritage, transform our infrastructure, and deepen our engagement with you, our members.
The physical anchor of our 165th-anniversary celebrations is the recent transformation of our Chamber headquarters. Officially opened in a ceremony graced by HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan as our Guest of Honour, our newly reimagined headquarters seamlessly blends our historical legacy with a future-forward vision.
Upgraded to the rigorous BEAM Plus standard, our modernised hub features energy-efficient systems and sustainable, eco-friendly elements. A centrepiece of this transformation is the launch of the dedicated Members Lounge 1861 – a vibrant, technology-driven space designed for our members to collaborate, network, and drive cross-sector innovation.
Our celebrations culminate on 29 May at the HKGCC 165th Anniversary Ball. This landmark gala convened over 700 influential minds from the public and private sectors to celebrate our community’s resilience and shared success.
Looking forward, we are also heavily focused on institutional longevity. We are currently working on the establishment of a dedicated HKGCC Foundation. This new foundation will serve as a cornerstone for our long-term community outreach, talent development, and philanthropic initiatives, ensuring the Chamber continues to positively impact Hong Kong society for the next 165 years and beyond.
The momentum of our anniversary celebrations will carry forward seamlessly throughout the year, culminating in a powerful lineup of high-level dialogues later this year.
In the fourth quarter, the Chamber will launch two pivotal summits designed to address both emerging macroeconomic trends and long-term economic strategies: The Silver Economy Summit: An essential new initiative exploring the commercial opportunities, technological innovations, and structural shifts
arising from an ageing demographic; The International Business Summit (IBS): Our annual premier flagship event will return in Q4, bringing together global CEOs, policymakers, and industry leaders under one roof to reinforce Hong Kong’s strategic position in the global trade ecosystem.
For 165 years, HKGCC’s unwavering dedication has enabled progress and empowered businesses. As we celebrate this historic milestone, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our members, committees, and partners for your enduring contributions. Together, we will continue to support innovation-led growth, reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a premier global hub, and write a prosperous new chapter for generations to come.
Patrick Yeung
[email protected]