Hong Kong Tips Strong Q3 Growth as Twin Finance Showpieces Open Next Week
Chan flags robust third quarter ahead of data day
Hong Kong's economy stayed on a strong growth path in the third quarter, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on a radio programme on October 31, with preliminary gross domestic product figures due on Tuesday. He said momentum pointed to what could be the strongest full-year expansion in five years, and the government may raise its annual forecast again.
First-half growth of 5.1 percent sets the bar
September exports jump most in four decades on AI demand
Two mega events back to back from November 2
Starting Monday, Hong Kong hosts two flagship financial events: the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, with a welcome dinner on November 2 at the Henderson in Central and main sessions on November 3 and 4 at the Four Seasons Hotel, and Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026, running November 2 to 6. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addresses the summit on November 3, with Chan delivering a keynote the following day.
IMF sees 3.8 percent growth, Chan sees room for more
The International Monetary Fund has raised its 2026 growth forecast for Hong Kong to 3.8 percent, and Chan, writing after attending the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, said the government was more optimistic, citing capital flows and the AI boom. He cautioned that Middle East tensions were keeping oil prices high and risks remained tilted to the downside, with inflation pressure a watch point.
APEC meeting dividend feeds the pitch to bankers
Chan said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation finance ministers' meeting, held in Hong Kong for the first time in October, had already helped draw capital into the city, with ministers reaching consensus on digital infrastructure, jobs and youth exchanges. He said he hoped the coming summit would deepen visiting executives' understanding of Hong Kong and channel investment into areas such as the Northern Metropolis and technology industries, with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank expressing interest in financing Northern Metropolis projects.
What to watch: data, deals and a possible upgrade
Three things come next: Tuesday's preliminary third-quarter GDP print, whether the two events yield concrete investment pledges, and whether the government upgrades its 3.5 to 4.5 percent full-year forecast. Chan reiterated his confidence that the annual target would be met.
