Hong Kong's global competitiveness has continued to rise, with the city ranking second globally in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development. The city performed strongly across a wide range of indicators, topping the charts in "Tax policy" and "Business legislation," ranking second in "Finance," and third in "International trade," "International investment," "Management practices," and "Education." These results underscore Hong Kong's clear institutional strengths and market efficiency.
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said: "The WCY 2026 reaffirms Hong Kong's competitiveness and business advantages." He noted that recent international reports show Hong Kong has become the world's fifth-largest trading entity, overtaken Switzerland to rank first globally in cross-border wealth management, and remained among the top global destinations for IPO fundraising. "These positive developments highlight Hong Kong's competitive advantages as the 'Four Centres and One Hub.' They also demonstrate that Hong Kong is the premier two-way springboard connecting the Chinese Mainland and international markets," Prof Ma added.
The HKTDC will continue to actively support the Hong Kong Special Administration Region government, to proactively align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan. Leveraging the city's unique strengths as a superconnector and super value-adder, the HKTDC will help Hong Kong better integrate into and contribute to the nation's overall development. For more details, visit the HKTDC Media Room.
The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The council organizes international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.
