DBS Hong Kong Survey: 63% of SME Respondents Say 2026 Business Performance Met or Exceeded Expectations

On November 2, DBS Hong Kong released the results of a survey on Hong Kong SMEs, covering their priorities for driving business growth and the support they need. The survey shows that nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) said their business performance in 2026 met or exceeded expectations. Looking ahead to the next 12 to 18 months, 85% of respondents held a neutral to optimistic view on the business outlook for Hong Kong enterprises. Although SME businesses are resilient, 59% of respondents still regarded rising costs such as rent, labor, and utilities as their primary operational challenge, followed by intense market competition (53%) and weak market demand or consumer sentiment (44%). Notably, SMEs also indicated that to sustain continuous growth and stable operations, the external support they need includes financial support schemes (53%), market expansion support (42%), and business matching and opportunities to expand business networks (32%). Wang Yue, Managing Director and Head of SME Banking at DBS Hong Kong, said the survey results show that Hong Kong SMEs are focusing on innovation and efficiency improvement while seeking financial support and opportunities to open up new markets. To turn these priorities into practical action, enterprises need solutions tailored to their needs and stage of development. DBS combines financing solutions, digital expertise, and regional connections to help SMEs strengthen operations and capture business growth opportunities. Looking ahead to the next three to five years, SMEs ranked product and service innovation as their top strategy (58%), followed by cost optimization and efficiency improvement (47%), enhancing customer experience (37%), and entering new markets or expanding market share outside Hong Kong (30%). The survey also reflects SMEs' interest in technology adoption. Currently, 38% of SMEs have fully or partially integrated artificial intelligence and digital technology into their business operations, while another 38% are actively exploring or planning to adopt related technologies. Among SMEs that have adopted or are considering adopting related technologies, the main objectives are improving product or service quality (52%) and streamlining operations and reducing costs (50%). Respondents also hope to automate routine work to free up employees' time to focus on strategic work (35%), and to strengthen customer interaction and provide more personalized experiences (31%). However, SMEs' transformation efforts remain constrained by multiple factors, including a lack of technical talent or expertise (41%) and high implementation and maintenance costs (38%). In addition, concerns about data security, system integration, and uncertainty over return on investment were each mentioned by 35% of respondents.