Remarks by SLW at media session after Global Talent Summit Week opening
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Reporter: Does the Government have any plans to ramp up efforts to lure talent from the Middle East, given the recent geopolitical instability in the region?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Over the past three years, we have been making a very constructed effort together with partners here in Hong Kong, and also with cities from mainly across the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area), to attract talent from all over the world to come to Hong Kong, and those with a wider interest in the development of our country, could also serve the wider needs of our country as well.
We know right now, given the geopolitical tension in the Middle East, Hong Kong, with our secure environment and very stable opportunities, have made us a more attractive place for talent from all around the world, including those from the Middle East who could make use of Hong Kong to develop. We are going to push ahead with our planned visits across the world. This includes visits to nearby countries in Southeast Asia as well as to Europe and North America.
Last year, the Hong Kong Talent Engage made a short visit to Saudi Arabia. It was a very good first start. We will look for a suitable occasional opportunity to make another visit to the Middle East, if at all possible. So rest assured we will make sure that our marketing and promotion activities will cover all the major destinations, and at the same time we are going to upgrade and improve our different admission schemes for talent from different parts of the world to Hong Kong. We will make efforts both locally and together with our partners, to make sure Hong Kong will move towards the goal set out in the 15th Five-Year plan of our country, to be a place for high-calibre talent.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Issued at HKT 13:03
Issued at HKT 13:03
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