Sharing session with young entrepreneurs

The Hong Kong Chinese Importers' and Exporters' Association held a sharing session with the Chief Executive and young entrepreneurs at Government House yesterday, filling the venue with positive energy.

Over 200 people attended the event in person including guests, teachers and students, while nearly 6 000 teachers and students joined via live broadcast over the Internet, including Hong Kong students from 30 local secondary schools and those studying at Huaqiao University in Quanzhou, Fujian. At the invitation of the organiser, three guests shared their experience in starting their own businesses.

I also shared my views on Hong Kong's economic situation with the students. I told them that our young people don't face unemployment because of the relatively high rates of economic growth maintained by the Mainland of China and other economies in Asia. I said that our concern was to create more opportunities for our young people to start their own businesses and move up the social ladder.

In the financial year ended March 31, 2015, the total amounts of profits tax and salaries tax and total employment in Hong Kong reached record highs. This means an increase in the incomes of both enterprises and individuals. As small, medium and large enterprises are all doing better, the environment is more favourable for young people with an ambition to start a business.

Yesterday, a student asked through the Internet whether it was now more difficult to start a business than before, given the current high rents and wage levels. Quoting their own experiences, the guests told our young people that, with more angel funds and business incubators in Hong Kong, now is a better time to start a business than ever. I also encouraged the students to think about their aspirations and decide for themselves whether they wanted to fly high like an eagle or stay low like a sparrow.

From what I saw yesterday, our young people are full of vitality and potential. The Special Administrative Region Government will keep up its efforts to promote economic development so as to provide a favourable environment with multiple pathways for them to realise their dreams.

Video on the sharing session

October 9, 2015