HK may see strongest growth in five years: Paul Chan

Hong Kong could record its strongest full-year economic growth figure in five years in 2026, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan. Speaking on a radio programme on Saturday, he said the economy grew by 5.1 percent in the first half of the year and that strong export performance and investment growth continued into the third quarter. "What I'm most pleased to see is that in terms of investment, the growth momentum in the first half of the year carried through into the third quarter," Chan said. "Visitor numbers to Hong Kong are high, the streets are busy, and we're holding many mega events – such as the Wine and Dine Festival – plus many other big events and concerts. "We have FinTech Week coming up. There's a chance that 2026 will be the strongest full-year economic growth in the past five years." On next year’s budget, Chan said any relief measures would depend on economic performance. He said the government would do its best but substantial infrastructure spending ahead meant authorities would need to manage public finances closely. He also flagged external risks. If geopolitical tensions and the Middle East conflict persist, oil prices could rise and feed into inflationary pressures, Chan stressed. He...