Hong Kong finds itself at a critical juncture. At the Town Hall Forum held on 20 May, we were delighted to welcome the HKGCC’s new Legislative Council Representative, the Honourable Jonathan Lamport. Representing the Commercial (First) Functional Constituency, he shared how to channel real-world business insights into constructive policy discussions within the legislature.
As global competition intensifies and economic paradigms evolve, the need for the city to transform beyond its traditional expertise has never been greater. Drawing on his wealth of business experience from across industries, he emphasised his commitment to contributing definitively to policy discussions centred around Hong Kong’s economic progress and competitiveness.
Central to this message was the absolute necessity to move past Hong Kong’s traditional advantages. As the Hon. Lamport adds, “if advantages do not become actions, they stay as advantages. We need policy and innovate ideas to build upon them.”
At the core of this transformational model are five interconnected priorities that lay the roadmap for change. Hong Kong’s First Five-Year serves as the foundational pillar for this development, providing a strategic framework to align long-term regional cooperation while facilitating cross-border investments. This is complemented by the ambitious Northern Metropolis project, positioned as an important engine of growth in driving innovation and deepening ties with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to create a tech-led economic ecosystem.
To create a thriving commercial landscape, Hong Kong’s transition into a “Golden Partner” is equally significant. For years, the city has been a “super connector”, acting as a gateway between Chinese Mainland and the world. By becoming a more proactive value creator, it can create long-term relationships and alliances to support national opening-up. The Hon. Lamport parallelly reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status as an international finance hub. He emphasised the need to embrace opportunities in up-and-coming sectors like green finance and fintech to sustain its competitiveness.
Extending this outward-looking strategy, the city’s longstanding position on the world stage gives it a distinct advantage. Markets in the Middle East, ASEAN, and Central Asia present important growth potential to diversify its economic partnerships while reinforcing its status as an international centre. Prioritising “Global Connectivity” would further add to Hong Kong’s reputation as a business-friendly, globally connected hub.
The Chamber members engaged enthusiastically with Hon Jonathan Lamport on his outlook and goals for the business community, marking an important step towards creating closer and meaningful dialogue between legislators and the commercial sector.