InvestHK's Charles Ng Promotes Hong Kong as Gateway for Indian Companies During India Visit

2025-04-20 09:00 Last Updated At：04-22 19:06

InvestHK visits India to promote Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to Mumbai and New Delhi in India today (April 20), highlighting Hong Kong's unrivalled role as a gateway for Indian companies to expand into Mainland China and across North Asia and Southeast Asia.

A highlight of the visit is the event Gateway to Growth: Exploring Business & Investment Opportunities in and via Hong Kong, jointly organised by InvestHK, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. As a keynote speaker, Mr Ng will update the participants on the latest developments in Hong Kong's business landscape, as well as the strategic advantages of establishing operations in Hong Kong for Indian companies.

Mr Ng said, "As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is not only a major start-up base but also is home to numerous high-net-worth individuals and wealthy families seeking diversified investment opportunities. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to meet these needs. Our vibrant start-up ecosystem, boasting nearly 4 700 ventures in AI, healthtech, fintech, Web3 and other cutting-edge fields offers exceptional opportunities for Indian start-ups and investors alike. Moreover, our New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme offers an attractive pathway for Indian wealthy families looking to combine investment with the option of living in the city."

Mr Ng's visit includes high-level discussions with prominent Indian firms and investors focusing on establishing a presence in Hong Kong to capitalise on its strategic advantages for global growth. Hong Kong's business-friendly environment, characterised by clear and transparent regulations, a simple and low tax regime, robust capital markets and free capital flows, positions the city as the ideal platform for Indian companies exploring expansion opportunities.

Mr Ng added, "With its unique position at the heart of Asia, world-class financial infrastructure, and deep connectivity with Mainland China and global markets, Hong Kong can empower Indian businesses to scale regionally and compete globally. This visit underscores InvestHK's commitment to strengthening Hong Kong–India ties by fostering greater investment and innovation between the two places."

The economic synergy between Hong Kong and India is profound. In 2024, India ranked as Hong Kong's ninth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately US$26 billion. Hong Kong is home to a vibrant and long-standing Indian community of over 42 000 people. Bilateral ties have been further reinforced by the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, signed in March 2018 and enhanced through a protocol in November 2018, which provides a robust framework for cross-border trade and investment.

IRD Issues 2.66 Million Tax Returns, Urges Timely Filing Before June 2 Deadline

2025-05-02 16:50 Last Updated At：16:58

Inland Revenue Department issues tax returns for individuals

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) today (May 2) issued about 2.66 million tax returns for individuals for the year of assessment 2024/25 and urged taxpayers to file their returns on time. The filing deadline is one month (by June 2) for general cases andthree months (by August 2)for sole proprietors. An extension of one month will be granted for returns filed electronically (i.e. the deadline is July 2 for general cases and September 2 for sole proprietors).

The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Benjamin Chan, today hosted a press conference on the completion of tax returns, three new tax portals to be launched under eTAX this July, and tax collection in the financial year 2024-25.

Mr Chan said that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions) Bill 2025 was passed by the Legislative Council on April 30, 2025, which gives effect to the proposal in the 2025-26 Budget to reduce salaries tax, tax under personal assessment and profits tax for the year of assessment 2024/25 by 100 per cent, subject to a ceiling of $1,500 per case. Taxpayers only need to complete the tax returns for the year of assessment 2024/25 as usual. The tax concessions will be reflected in their final tax payable.

He also introduced the following new tax measures to be implemented from the year of assessment 2024/25:

(1) a two-tiered standard rates regime for salaries tax and tax under personal assessment;

(2) an increase in deduction ceilings for home loan interest or domestic rent from $100,000 to $120,000 for taxpayers who are residing with their newborn children born on or after October 25, 2023;

(3) a new deduction for expenses on assisted reproductive services, subject to a ceiling of $100,000; and

(4) enhancement measures for the deduction of expenses under profits tax to provide tax deductions for expenses incurred for reinstating the condition of leased premises to their original condition, and to remove the time limit for claiming annual allowances in respect of industrial/commercial buildings or structures.

Mr Chan encouraged taxpayers to file their tax returns through eTAX, which is easy, secure and environmentally friendly, and to ensure that they reach the IRD in time.

He said, "The IRD is committed to promoting tax digitalisation and has been upgrading the functions of electronic tax filing to facilitate taxpayers and enhance the efficiency, reliability and accuracy of return filing. The IRD will launch three portals under eTAX this July, namely Individual Tax Portal, Business Tax Portal and Tax Representative Portal. Existing individual tax services provided by eTAX will be migrated to the Individual Tax Portal with a new design and enhanced functions. A mobile application for the portal will also be launched. The Business Tax Portal and the Tax Representative Portal enable businesses and service agents respectively to handle tax and business affairs electronically."

He reminded taxpayers that when filing profits tax returns online, they may submit at the same time supporting documents in a specified electronic format. Details on electronic filing of profits tax returns are available on the IRD's website. Taxpayers are also reminded to pay sufficient postage if they choose to submit their returns by post to ensure timely delivery. Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the IRD.

Taxpayers may visit the IRD's "e-Seminars"for details on completing tax returns. From today to June 2, the IRD will deploy additional staff to operate the telephone enquiries hotline 187 8022 and extend the service hours (8.15am to 7pm on weekdays, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays).

On tax revenue collection, Mr Chan said that $374.5 billion was collected by the IRD in the financial year 2024-25, an increase of $32.5 billion compared with the previous year. The breakdown is as follows:

IRD's tax revenue collection in financial year 2024-25

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Tax Type

2024-25

Revenue

(Provisional

Figures)

($million)

2023-24

Revenue

(Actual

Figures)