Letters | As Hong Kong eases Covid-19 rules, it must convince the world it is open for business

Readers discuss how Hong Kong can grasp the opportunities provided by the relaxation of Covid-19 measures, an unsatisfactory experience with a bank’s automated customer service system, and littering by scaffolding contractors

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A woman walks down a deserted Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, which usually attracts crowds of tourists, in May 2021. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 11:30am, 15 Dec 2022

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With the announcement of the lifting of all Covid-19 curbs on travellers who test negative on arrival into the city, Hong Kong is ready to claim back its title of “Asia’s World City”.

However, a lot has changed in the past three years.

Many people have fled the city, resulting in a 1.6 per cent decline in population between mid-2021 and mid-2022. The retail and hospitality sectors have been hindered by quarantine measures and dining-in limitations. Many small businesses and luxury shops alike have closed their doors. Several companies have relocated their headquarters to Singapore.

With Hong Kong reopening to the world and removing the draconian quarantine measures, a vast array of opportunities lie ahead.

Hong Kong must attract foreign talent again to increase diversity in the community and the workplace. The city must maximise its role as a hub for new businesses and an efficient gateway to China. It should position itself as an incubator of start-ups, particularly in new technologies and Web3. It must leverage its efficient infrastructure and services to become the destination of choice for Asian conferences, forums and events.