Nearly 95 percent of applicants approved in Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme in the first two months of this year were citizens of China, according to government statistics.
The same source has revealed that a total of 14,240 requests for the top talent program were registered in the first two months of this year after Chief Executive John Lee introduced the scheme in December. Of the total number of applications, 8,797 had been approved up to this point, according to the Immigration Department, VisaGuide.World reports.
Authorities in Hong Kong are continuously attempting to bring to the country a larger number of internationals in order to fill in labor shortage gaps noted in many industries.
In addition, according to the Peninsula report, the city’s working population decreased by 2.4 percent last year, accounting for the most significant decline since 1985. Such a situation came as a result of the strict COVID-related restrictions as well as Beijing’s political crackdown.
Lee previously said that many industries in Hong Kong are subject to workforce shortages, also taking into account the construction as well as transport initiatives while noting that the relevant bureaux would carefully listen to the views of these sectors while putting forward effective solutions when it comes to the problems that they are facing.
Over half of the successful applicants to this scheme were between the ages of 18 to 30, while more than 30 percent of them were aged 31 to 40, based on the statistics provided by the government.
In order to help the economic sector further grow, Hong Kong authorities previously announced that they would introduce new measures to attract talent from countries worldwide, in addition to the fact that it offers the E Visa for all those who plan to travel to Hong Kong for business and tourism purposes.
A statement provided by the Cooperate Immigration Partners noted that the measures, among others, include the introduction of the Top Talent Pass Scheme for foreign nationals earning over HKD 2.5 million per year and who have graduated from a top university in the past three years.
“Hong Kong has advanced infrastructure in both hardware and software, a sound legal system, and top-notch talents from all over the world. An open and diversified metropolis where old and new styles meet, Hong Kong is also an appealing city embracing both Chinese and Western cultures,” the Chief Executive, John Lee, said.
Lee noted that the proposed Co-Investment Fund would also focus on co-investing in individual projects of the target enterprises, considering their potential to drive sector development in Hong Kong.
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