Hong Kong’s robustness continues to strengthen its status as an international talent hub
Outreach initiatives to attract top professionals mark a critical step in the city’s strategy to enhance its competitiveness
Financial services, aviation, shipping, and innovation and technology are among the key industries expected to generate a new surge of growth in Hong Kong. To meet changing business needs, the city is seeking high-calibre professionals from these sectors as part of its strategic approach to talent acquisition.
In the face of keen competition for global talent, the city has adopted a proactive approach. Key initiatives include the establishment of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), a dedicated office under the government’s Labour and Welfare Bureau. HKTE plays a vital role in promoting the city’s growth opportunities, its unique advantages as a gateway between mainland China and the world, and its vibrant, multicultural lifestyle.
The opportunity to pursue professional growth in Hong Kong is particularly attractive to international talent, exemplified by Knight Frank’s chief operations officer for Greater China, Travis Huggins.
In 2011, when the native Australian first considered working abroad, London seemed a natural choice. But Hong Kong had more to offer. “I had already been working for a few years and wanted to learn more, to hone and develop my skills. I wanted to further my career in a global market, where it was relatively easy to get started,” he says. “For me, Hong Kong just seemed to make sense; the finance, accounting and legal frameworks were similar to those I dealt with in Melbourne. And I could also see that the city’s close connections with mainland China would open all kinds of new possibilities.”
After completing a series of online and in-person interviews, Huggins accepted a job in Hong Kong that offered good financial incentives and promising prospects.
The city’s favourable tax regime enhanced its appeal. “It is very simple and efficient,” says Huggins, who soon realised that the city’s tightly knit urban structure meant lower household expenses. “I began to like the convenience of living in Hong Kong; you have everything on the doorstep, at your fingertips – and everything works smoothly.”
Huggins’s new job proved to be both stimulating and challenging, particularly the management of cross-cultural teams.
As part of HKTE’s outreach initiative, Huggins recently shared his experience of living and working in Hong Kong at three seminars at universities in Australia, where he talked about employment opportunities, living costs, salaries and Hong Kong’s culinary scene. “Students asked me about visas, talent admission schemes, job opportunities, career prospects and if being bilingual is a job requirement,” he says. “Many students and graduates were surprised by how easy the pathway to work and live in Hong Kong can be.”
At the seminars, Huggins highlighted Hong Kong’s demand for talent in sectors including cybersecurity, fintech and ESG (environmental, social and governance). He also stressed the need for local knowledge for those seeking work in the real estate or hospitality industries.
“It is important to build networks by being part of professional groups, alumni bodies, chambers and societies,” Huggins told the students. “Meeting and engaging with others is a useful way to help build connections with like-minded people.”
Together with industry partners and incoming talent, HKTE plans to host more than 15 outreach talent attraction events this year in mainland China, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
In recognition of Malaysia’s emerging economy and strategic development potential, HKTE partnered with cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to organise a symposium and career fair in Kuala Lumpur last month. In addition to providing an effective platform for employers and jobseekers to engage, the event featured insightful discussions among industry leaders on cutting-edge technology trends and innovative applications in the GBA’s tech-driven manufacturing centres.
Strengthening outreach promotion efforts and engaging key talent markets around the globe is crucial to scale up Hong Kong’s capability to source high-calibre talent, according to HKTE director Anthony Lau Chun-hon. “Malaysia and Australia, for example, possess an abundant talent supply that Hong Kong needs. Their expertise in Islamic finance, ESG and cybersecurity can create new impetus for our sustainable development,” he says. “Talent is a prime resource, in particular the highly sought top performers. To enrich the city’s talent pool, we must highlight Hong Kong’s unique advantages and professional opportunities.”
Part of HKTE’s remit is to provide support to individuals planning to relocate to the city through various talent admission pathways – such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme – which are designed to suit the needs of global talent with diverse backgrounds, qualifications, expertise and experience. HKTE’s outreach programmes provide networking opportunities that inspire interest and encourage applications from professional talent while offering them a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s unique advantages.
Lau cites a case during his visit to Munich last year. There, he met a civil engineer whose work had been confined to the construction of low-rise buildings commonly found in Germany.
“She was excited to have the opportunity to understand the construction of high-rise buildings in Hong Kong,” Lau says. “I found her words moving; she reminded me that what a local may take for granted can be a transformational opportunity for global talent.”