'Even More Should Be Done To Attract Overseas Talent'

The head of a top business chamber in Hong Kong on Sunday said more should be done to ease an across-the-board manpower shortage, on top of expanding the SAR’s talent list.

George Leung, the chief executive of the General Chamber of Commerce, made the comments days after the government expanded the list – which highlights professions Hong Kong needs most – to cover more professions, such as those in the performing arts, development and construction, and healthcare services sectors.

Speaking to reporters after appearing on a radio programme, Leung said officials should also lower the threshold for various talent schemes to make it easier for overseas professionals to join the workforce.

"We welcome the government's recent move to expand the list to allow more import of talent. But I think there's a lot more to do," he said.

"We need firstly to simplify the administrative procedures and provide more incentives, and promote outside Hong Kong to let more people know about Hong Kong's advantages, and provide some sort of career matching to attract those people coming to Hong Kong."

Leung also warned of external headwinds hindering the SAR's export performance, such as interest rate hikes and the banking crisis in the US.

He called on authorities to boost digital trade to maintain the territory's status as an international financial centre.