Why Hong Kong must ditch its infrastructure-led growth model

I have lived in Hong Kong since 1994, coming to the city as an interested witness as to how it would respond to being handed over to China from its British manufacture. Following the events of 1997, when asked the regular question, "So what has changed since the handover?", I could easily respond "nothing". It seems, almost 18 years on, that the answer was never truer. Hong Kong has, it seems, gone into a long period of stagnation, its "can do" moniker being replaced by a "won't do" determination.

Without receiving strong leadership, either from Beijing, which continues to adopt a general policy of letting Hong Kong sort out its own affairs, or from a mandated political party, the civil service has effectively had to form policy. And while things have turned over evenly, impartially and routinely, they have not done so with vigour, voracity or, most importantly, vision. Common sense decision-making has been replaced by "record and report" delay tactics, and there is a desperate lack of willingness to take responsibility for saying "yes". Another report or inspection is always the solution. Fellow professionals are continually urging procedural changes, trials of new ideas and adoption of new techniques commonplace in Europe or the US but face an innovation brick wall.

Short-term thinking is institutionalised. The chief executive's election clarion call to address the housing market imbalance resulted in the development of last year's "Long Term Housing Strategy". The plan is projected over 10 years. Just 10 years! There is nothing long term about that and the strategy is incredibly knee-jerk and reactionary, dispensing with best-use scenarios for the territory's remaining prized land resources and replacing them with short-term and inadequate housing solutions carried out under the same old tried and tested mechanisms.

And yet the Global Competitiveness Report, a yearly report published by the World Economic Forum since 2004, would suggest that Hong Kong is more competitive than ever. Ranked 24th in the first report, the city has consistently risen and has featured in the top 10 since 2012, retaining its 7th position. It tops the infrastructure pillar, reflecting the outstanding quality of its facilities across all modes of transportation. The economy also continues to dominate the financial market development pillar, owing to the high level of efficiency, trustworthiness and stability of its system. The dynamism and efficiency of Hong Kong's goods market (2nd) and labour market (3rd) further contribute to its excellent overall positioning. Hong Kong is also one of the most open economies in the world and can rely on its high degree of technological readiness (5th).

However, in order to enhance its competitiveness, the report points out that Hong Kong must improve on higher education (22nd) and innovation (26th, down three places in 2014). In the latter category, the quality of its research institutions (32nd, down one) and the limited availability of scientists and engineers (36th, down four) remain two key issues to be addressed in building a truly innovation-driven economy. Furthermore, 7th in the world seems good going, but not nearly as impressive as Singapore which is 2nd.

Unfortunately, economic competitiveness is where Hong Kong is most competitive. When it comes to "quality of living", the city is down at No71 on the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, a list that purports to help multinational companies decide where to open offices or plants, and how much to pay employees. Singapore is ranked No1 in Asia. And now it seems Shenzhen has overtaken Hong Kong, as well. Has the economic rise reached a plateau? The China Development Institute, based in Shenzhen, has suggested that Shenzhen's economy is freer than other mainland cities and government efficiency is higher than Hong Kong's, where a policy of positive non-interventionism limits its role in the economy. The Shenzhen government, by comparison, can play a bigger part with innovative polices that attract investment.