Hong Kong protests: American Chamber of Commerce urges government to step up reconciliatory efforts to save city’s reputation from permanent damage
- About 46 per cent of respondents AmCham surveyed last week were pessimistic about Hong Kong’s long-term prospects, up from 34 per cent in July
- Survey sounds alarm bell to all who value Hong Kong as a vibrant business hub with rule of law and free flow of information, AmCham president Tara Joseph says
An influential business group on Monday urged the Hong Kong government to step up efforts to promote reconciliation before the city’s reputation was damaged permanently.
About 82 per cent of the companies polled held regular discussions with their headquarters on crisis management and staff handling to cope with the increasing social divide and distress, and to make adjustments to operational and investment strategies, it said.
Most of them were making contingency plans to deal with the business impacts, it showed.
“The fact that a majority of the companies surveyed said they would not leave the city highlights the importance of Hong Kong as a strategic and business hub in Asia, but the increasing risks still serve as a factor which may eventually push them out,” AmCham president Tara Joseph said.