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The UK set out its growth agenda in Hong Kong at the inaugural UK Investment Conference, where the country’s industrial strategy and sector opportunities in finance, life sciences, clean energy and advanced manufacturing were presented.
Hosted by the British Consulate-General Hong Kong on 2 December, the conference offered a platform to articulate the UK’s confident growth vision and underline its commitment to working closely with international investors.
The event highlighted the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, a 10-year plan designed to attract global investment across 8 key sectors, making it quicker and easier to invest and expand in a more competitive, secure and resilient economy. It will strengthen infrastructure, reduce costs for businesses and simplify regulation, providing the stability and ease for making long-term investment decisions.
A confident pitch to global capital
Lord Jason Stockwood, Minister for Investment, attended the Conference to share the UK’s ambition to create one of the world’s most competitive environments for high-value investment by combining strategic policy development with regulatory reform and major public sector commitments.
“Hong Kong has long been a gateway for global capital and a long-standing partner for UK businesses. Today, we reaffirm that relationship, bringing together leaders from both sides to explore new ventures, share insights, and forge lasting connections,” Lord Stockwood said.
Over the next five years, the UK will deploy £113bn in public investment across infrastructure, innovation and priority sectors, complemented by a £27.8bn National Wealth Fund designed to accelerate private capital flows into clean energy and future industries.
The conference offered insights into how the country is seeking to convert its competitive advantages into new engines of growth; a view shared by Global CEOs, who recently ranked the UK as Europe’s most attractive investment destination, while maintaining its position as the region’s leading venture capital hub.
Hong Kong as a long-standing and valued partner
Hong Kong’s long-standing role as a conduit for global capital was acknowledged by many of the speakers.
Bilateral trade between Hong Kong and the UK is valued at £27.2bn, and the total investment flows exceeding £120bn, inclusive of the China mainland in the four quarters ending Q2 2025. This relationship remains one of deep mutual significance.
Hong Kong is home to more than 130 regional headquarters for UK firms and a further 400 local offices, reflecting the strength of commercial ties.
Comparatively, the UK’s stock of FDI in Hong Kong stands at £105.5bn, while Hong Kong’s stock of FDI in the UK reached £18bn at the end of 2023.
As one of Asia’s most globally connected financial centres and a key base for mainland Chinese and Middle Eastern investors, Hong Kong represents a critical gateway for international capital seeking visibility across multiple regions.
The UK’s objective, reiterated throughout the conference, is to ensure investors see the UK as a stable and attractive destination in a rapidly changing global landscape.
A nationwide network of opportunities
From Cambridge’s life sciences and materials science breakthroughs in the East of England to the West Midlands’ manufacturing ecosystem – strengthened by transport connectivity and battery innovation. The UK offers diverse regional investment opportunities, for example, the Northwest combines digital creativity with biomedical research and clean energy development.
Scotland is a major contributor to the UK’s growth story, with notable strengths in quantum technologies, space, financial services and energy transition, supported by strong research institutions and established industry clusters.
Wales has emerged as a strong player, offering strengths in advanced manufacturing, compound semiconductors and floating offshore wind, reinforced by university-led research and new investment zones that are creating opportunities across the nation.
Northern Ireland continues to build strong capabilities in cybersecurity, digital technologies and life sciences, underpinned by innovation hubs and an increasingly vibrant advanced manufacturing base.
Clean energy nations
Areas such as Tees Valley and Aberdeen are emerging as major centres for clean energy innovation and industrial decarbonisation, demonstrating how the net zero transition is creating new opportunities across the UK’s four nations.
For Hong Kong investors, this diversity offers multiple pathways for engagement and shows how the UK’s industrial strategy is being delivered through investment zones, freeports and university-industry partnerships.
Investor support and governance fundamentals
A valuable service offer that stood out to Hong Kong and international investors was the tailored support to overseas entrants by the UK’s Office for Investment and the Department for Business and Trade. The services for international investors include bespoke market insights, partner matching, financial viability analysis and long-term aftercare.
Throughout the discussions, the UK’s governance strengths, such as the rule of law, transparent regulation, strong intellectual property protection and a flexible, talented, labour market, were repeatedly cited.
For investors assessing long-term commitments in energy, infrastructure, advanced technology and beyond, these are the fundamentals that matter most. Reach out to the team in Hong Kong at [email protected] to connect with sector specialists and unlock your UK investment journey.
