홍콩의 1분기 투자가 기계 설비 구매와 건설 경기 활성화에 힘입어 17% 성장했으며, 이는 부동산 시장이 꾸준히 회복되고 있음을 반영한다.
폴 찬 모포 홍콩 재무장관은 지난 일요일 홍콩 경제가 5.9% 성장하며 거의 5년 만에 가장 빠른 분기별 확장세를 기록했다고 밝혔다. 견조한 수출 실적과 전년 대비 17% 증가한 투자가 주요 성장 동력이었다.
찬 장관은 "1분기 17%의 투자 성장은 지난 몇 년간 이어진 한 자릿수 성장에서 벗어난 결과"라고 평가했다. 자금은 주로 기계 구입과 건설 관련 프로젝트에 투입되었으며, 부동산 시장의 안정세가 건설업계의 회복 탄력을 높였다.
경제 지표는 개선되었으나 찬 장관은 모든 시민이 즉각적으로 이러한 변화를 체감하기는 어려울 수 있음을 인정했다. 그럼에도 그는 향후 투자 환경과 올해 남은 기간의 전망에 대해서는 긍정적인 입장을 유지했다.
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Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan unveiled the 2026 budget on Wednesday, emphasizing investments in artificial intelligence and infrastructure while facing criticism for the absence of direct cash handouts to residents. The budget projects a surplus and includes a rare transfer from the Exchange Fund.
Hong Kong's finance chief Paul Chan forecasts first-quarter GDP growth exceeding 4%, the strongest in nearly five years, driven by a 17% rise in visitors and 5.2% gain in retail and catering spending. The preliminary figure is due on Tuesday.
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Hong Kong's commercial property market attracted US$1.6 billion in investment in the first quarter, up 41 per cent year-on-year, according to JLL, driven by demand for office, retail and hotel assets. Peer firm CBRE reported HK$12.3 billion (US$1.57 billion), up 105 per cent, amid lower Hibor rates and improving liquidity.
Hong Kong's unemployment rate for the December to February period stood at 3.8 per cent, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous three months. Improvements were seen in retail, accommodation services, and foundation and superstructure sectors. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the economy's growth momentum should support the labour market, though some sectors face challenges.
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Japan's largest companies raised capital spending in the final quarter of last year, signaling stronger corporate sentiment. The Finance Ministry reported a 4% rise in spending on goods excluding software compared to the previous quarter. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pushing for more investment in strategic sectors.
Hong Kong's finance chief will unveil measures in the budget to strengthen the intellectual property economy, focusing on nurturing top-tier talent and aiding local tech firms with patent evaluations. These initiatives aim to diversify economic development and align with national priorities.
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South Korea's real GDP jumped 1.7 percent in Q1 2026 from the prior quarter—the strongest growth in 5½ years—despite Middle East tensions, easily topping the Bank of Korea's 0.9 percent forecast on robust exports and steady domestic demand. Part of the rebound following 2025's modest 1% annual expansion (see prior article in series).