Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau: CEPA will be amended for a third version; foreign companies set up in Hong Kong will enjoy the same tax-exempt treatment as Hong Kong enterprises when entering the mainland.

Hong Kong's first five-year plan proposes to continue advancing the comprehensive upgrading of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau said that CEPA will be amended for a third version. Any foreign company that sets up a company in Hong Kong and then enters the mainland to do business will also be able to apply CEPA and receive treatment equivalent to that of Hong Kong companies. If products made by foreign companies in Hong Kong meet the "Made in Hong Kong" requirements, they can enjoy tax exemption when entering the mainland. Regarding progress on Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Algernon Yau said on September 21 that when new economies apply to join, existing member states need to approve it in their respective parliaments before the matter returns to RCEP for discussion, a process that often takes several years. RCEP will set up a working group to review applications, and the Hong Kong government will actively express its desire to join to member states and make every effort to secure support from all sides. The Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said that yesterday the First Protocol to Amend the Hong Kong, China-ASEAN Investment Agreement was signed, allowing Hong Kong enterprises to enjoy, in the ten ASEAN member states and according to the circumstances, treatment no less favorable than that enjoyed by local or foreign enterprises. Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina A. Roque and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun also signed the Protocol. As of the end of 2024, ASEAN was Hong Kong's third-largest destination for outward direct investment, with an investment stock of HK$671.2 billion. ASEAN was also Hong Kong's sixth-largest source of inward direct investment, with an investment stock of HK$448.5 billion.