Person

Paul Chan

1. Hong Kong signs 18 more 'strategic enterprises' pledging over HK$10 billion, including Johnson & Johnson and Solana

   SCMP reported that Hong Kong's Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) signed agreements on Oct 22 with a seventh batch of 18 companies in fields including artificial intelligence, health technology and advanced manufacturing, which pledged more than HK$10 billion (about $1.28 billion) of investment. About half come from mainland China and half from elsewhere, including Nasdaq-listed fintech firm Solana and Johnson & Johnson. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the aim was to connect finance, research, talent and industry more effectively.

   Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon
2. Follow-up: APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting 2026 closes in Hong Kong with pledge to boost policy coordination

   The Hong Kong government said the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting closed on its second day in Hong Kong on Oct 21 with a joint statement reaffirming the goal of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. CNA reported China's Finance Minister Lan Fo'an told a post-meeting briefing that economies agreed to strengthen macroeconomic policy communication and coordination to address external risks; the meeting also issued a policy statement on financing digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific. The day's agenda included inclusive finance and exchanges among young finance professionals, and Financial Secretary Paul Chan spoke in the discussions.

   Oct 22, 2026 Morning
3. Hong Kong to land 10–20 more pharma and semiconductor firms; Paul Chan more upbeat than IMF on growth

   SCMP reported that Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises head Yan Jing-shun said on Oct 18 that 10–20 firms would set up or expand in Hong Kong, including leading drug makers and one semiconductor firm, roughly half mainland and half overseas, with details on Thursday; five of the world's top 10 pharma companies already have a Hong Kong presence. Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in his blog that the government is more optimistic than the IMF on Hong Kong's growth this year; after IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok he said discussion focused on AI-driven change and energy-price spikes from Middle East war. The IMF expects global growth to slow from 3.5% in 2025 to 3.1% this year and has raised its Hong Kong growth forecast to 3.8%.

   Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon