Uncertainty once again prevails in Hong Kong as the Omicron variant has arrived in the city. At the time of writing, local case numbers remain relatively low, and we hope the situation will soon be under control so that life can get back to normal. 

Amid the ongoing turmoil, the Chamber is continuing to work to improve the landscape for local businesses and to maintain the city’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.

Among our recent work, we have been cooperating with the Department of Trade and Industry on plans to reopen the border with Mainland China. On the Chamber’s website, members can pre-register for the first phase of the resumption of quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. 

The pre-registration process involves completing a straightforward online form for applicants to provide details of their businesses here and in the Mainland. We are very pleased to be able to provide this service that will enable our members to visit their offices, facilities and staff as soon as possible. 

From a business perspective, reopening the border is the most crucial step towards normality. The importance of the Mainland to Hong Kong’s economy cannot be overstated: it has been our biggest trading partner since the 1980s, and Hong Kong is also the biggest external investor in the Mainland. So it is no surprise that Chamber members have told us that the border re-opening is their top priority. 

The pandemic has also put many companies’ Greater Bay Area plans on hold. With so many opportunities emerging across Guangdong Province, we do not want to run the risk of missing out as more and more time passes.  

Of course, as a global business hub, we also want to see a reopening with the rest of the world, and we hope that this will follow quickly. Hong Kong’s strict measures have been successful in keeping Covid at bay for much of the past two years, but we would particularly like to see a reduction in the long hotel quarantine requirement to facilitate international travel.

We had all hoped that the border reopening would have taken place sooner, but the Omicron variant has created a new hurdle. However, the pre-registration process means that the system will be ready to go once we get the green light for reopening. 

As we are now entering the Year of the Tiger, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members a happy new year. We will be working on organizing more in-person events for members once the Omicron threat has been resolved. Please check our website for the latest updates on all of our events, and we hope to see many of you soon.

George Leung
[email protected]