Hong Kong's government will allocate at least 10 per cent budget increases to innovation and technology, intellectual property, and investment promotion departments in the 2026-27 financial year, despite curbs on recurrent spending. The Environment and Ecology Bureau and public broadcaster face sharp cuts of 70 and 28 per cent, respectively. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will expand its civil service workforce by 16 per cent, the largest increase among all departments.
Hong Kong's government is channelling new funding into innovation and technology (I&T), intellectual property, and investment promotion, even as it seeks to curb recurrent spending and trim the civil service. In the 2026-27 financial year, these departments will receive budget increases of at least 10 per cent, while the overall civil service headcount shrinks by 2 per cent.
Nine bureaus and departments will see rises of more than 10 per cent, including the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Digital Policy Office, Intellectual Property Department, and Invest Hong Kong, with increases ranging from 11 to 27 per cent. The spending supports initiatives such as establishing the AI Research and Development Institute, expanding artificial intelligence use, launching the IP Academy pilot programme, and measures to help mainland Chinese firms 'go global' while attracting strategic industries and enterprises.
In contrast, the Environment and Ecology Bureau faces a 70 per cent cut, and the public broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong, a 28 per cent reduction. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will expand its civil service workforce by 16 per cent, the largest increase among all departments.
This year's budget focuses on I&T development, pledging significant support for key areas like AI and intellectual property, as outlined by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.
