Hong Kong’s robustness continues to strengthen its status as an international talent hub
Outreach initiatives to attract top professionals mark a critical step in the city’s strategy to enhance its competitiveness

Financial services, aviation, shipping, and innovation and technology are among the key industries expected to generate a new surge of growth in Hong Kong. To meet changing business needs, the city is seeking high-calibre professionals from these sectors as part of its strategic approach to talent acquisition.
In the face of keen competition for global talent, the city has adopted a proactive approach. Key initiatives include the establishment of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), a dedicated office under the government’s Labour and Welfare Bureau. HKTE plays a vital role in promoting the city’s growth opportunities, its unique advantages as a gateway between mainland China and the world, and its vibrant, multicultural lifestyle.
The opportunity to pursue professional growth in Hong Kong is particularly attractive to international talent, exemplified by Knight Frank’s chief operations officer for Greater China, Travis Huggins.
In 2011, when the native Australian first considered working abroad, London seemed a natural choice. But Hong Kong had more to offer. “I had already been working for a few years and wanted to learn more, to hone and develop my skills. I wanted to further my career in a global market, where it was relatively easy to get started,” he says. “For me, Hong Kong just seemed to make sense; the finance, accounting and legal frameworks were similar to those I dealt with in Melbourne. And I could also see that the city’s close connections with mainland China would open all kinds of new possibilities.”

After completing a series of online and in-person interviews, Huggins accepted a job in Hong Kong that offered good financial incentives and promising prospects.