Opinion | Global businesses must not turn their backs on Hong Kong in its hour of need

Name: Hong Kong businesses cry foul over abrupt return to anti-Covid-19 social-distancing rules
Uploaded: 2022-03-02T00:15:10.000Z
Duration: 4 min 9 s
Description: Hong Kong businesses cry foul over abrupt return to anti-Covid-19 social-distancing rules

International firms have long reaped the rewards of Hong Kong’s free and competitive business environment. Now is the time to give back

While the city’s battle with Covid-19 may be pushing many to seek other markets, businesses must stay and help Hong Kong weather its current storm

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Empty streets in Hong Kong’s Central district on February 21 during the fifth wave of Covid-19 infections. Photo: Sam Tsang

Duncan Abate

Published: 8:15am, 2 Mar 2022

I arrived in Hong Kong from the United Kingdom in August 1994. Since then, I have worked for the same law firm in the city, starting as a junior lawyer and working my way through the ranks to become part of the management team. Like many other expats who have come to call this city home, I was drawn here by the abundance of opportunities, and by the spirit of enterprise for which it is known.

And like many other global businesses, my firm has benefited greatly from the vibrancy and dynamism of Hong Kong and the world-class, market-driven business environment that, together with a robust legal system, has enabled international business to flourish.

This is why, as Hong Kong struggles to bring the latest wave of Covid-19 infections under control, it is concerning to hear talk of departures or relocation from certain sections of the international business community.

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Hong Kong businesses cry foul over abrupt return to anti-Covid-19 social-distancing rules

Granted, this has been a difficult time for everyone. But the more we work together, the faster the city and businesses that operate here can get back on their feet. We can, and should, all contribute to Hong Kong’s anti-pandemic efforts rather than flee for the hills in its hour of need.

Vaccination is the key to boosting the city’s defence. However, while vaccination rates across the population have been rising faster of late, there is still some way to go before they reach a safe level, especially among the elderly and very young.

As a result of the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, public hospitals are now finding themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope with the backlog of patients. It is vitally important that the Hong Kong business community pulls together to do what it can to help.

Over the past weeks, it has been encouraging to see that local companies have converted hotel rooms into community quarantine facilities, offered to turn their premises into vaccination venues, sourced and distributed Covid-19 testing kits, and provided anti-pandemic supplies to care homes for the elderly and to low-income families. Such actions are to be applauded.