Hong Kong and Singapore – The Most Liberal Cities for Business

A post from our Project Management blog

For businesses looking to expand into new markets, Hong Kong and Singapore are two of the most attractive cities in Asia. Both offer impressive benefits, including low taxes, sophisticated infrastructure and access to high-level talent.

Their unique approach to commercial liberalization sets them apart from other locations: both have created environments that encourage entrepreneurship while protecting investors' rights. As a result, they've become known as two of the most progressive cities for business in Asia.



In this article, we'll compare these two vibrant cities and explore what makes them ideal locations for companies seeking growth opportunities abroad.

Benefits of Starting a Business in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is an attractive business destination because of its low taxes and sophisticated infrastructure.
It has a range of incentives to encourage entrepreneurship, including the Outward Direct Investment Scheme, which provides tax deductions and exemptions on corporate income earned overseas.
Companies can operate with relatively little government interference and receive assistance with government procurement contracts.

Benefits of Starting a Business in Singapore

Singapore is an excellent destination for businesses that want to establish a presence in Asia due to its sophisticated infrastructure, skilled workforce, and supportive government policies.
Singapore's low taxes, stable economic environment, and solid anti-corruption measures benefit companies. The Singaporean government also provides many incentives to encourage investment, such as grants and subsidies for businesses that want to set up in the country.
Singapore's regulatory framework protects investors while allowing companies to operate with relative freedom.

Comparison of Hong Kong and Singapore Liberalization Policies

When it comes to business liberalization, both Hong Kong and Singapore offer a variety of benefits that make them attractive locations.
In particular, both cities have low taxes, sophisticated infrastructure and access to high-level talent.

However, they each take a different approach to liberalization.
Hong Kong has implemented the Outward Direct Investment Scheme, which provides tax deductions and exemptions for overseas corporate income. Here, companies are allowed to operate with relatively little government interference and can receive assistance with government procurement contracts.
Meanwhile, Singapore has a range of incentives, including grants and subsidies. It has a robust anti-corruption policy with a regulatory framework designed to protect investors while allowing companies to operate with relative freedom.

Training and Development of High-Level Talent

With vibrant and growing economies, both locations have abundant high-level talent, encompassing every sector and spanning all levels of seniority.
This, along with a culture of hard work and entrepreneurial focus, makes these places highly desirable destinations.

There is also a great deal of training available for companies who wish to develop their staff and for individuals who want to upskill in specific areas of expertise. Options include executive coaching, leadership and management courses, sales training and CPD-accredited pathways in professional areas like accounting, property, law and investment.
With a high-activity environment, there is a constant demand for training in every area, which is well supported by many companies ready to provide the required services.

This means that the ready availability of high-quality employees is underpinned by ample resources to develop them further, to higher levels and across wider areas of expertise.

Understanding the Cost Structure for Businesses

Regarding cost structure for businesses, several factors should be considered.
In Hong Kong, the corporate tax rate is a competitive 16.5%, and companies can access other incentives, such as double taxation agreements, to reduce their overall tax burden.
Singapore also has a competitive corporate tax rate of 17%, but its personal income tax rates can range from 0% to 22%, depending on the income earned.
Businesses in both cities have access to a wealth of resources, including skilled labor and sophisticated infrastructure that can help them reduce their overall costs.

So there are numerous benefits for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations abroad, and understanding the cost structure of each city is also essential to make an informed decision on which location would best suit a company's needs.

Unique Features That Make These Cities Ideal for Expansion

Both cities offer a range of benefits that make them ideal locations for entrepreneurs, including low taxes, access to high-level talent, sophisticated infrastructure, and a stable economic environment.
In addition to these common benefits, both cities have unique features that make them attractive locations for expansion. Hong Kong has a competitive corporate tax rate and offers incentives such as the Overseas Investment Scheme, which provides tax deductions and exemptions for overseas companies. Singapore also has a competitive corporate tax rate and offers a range of additional grants and subsidies to businesses looking to set up operations in the country.

When it comes to setting up bank accounts for businesses, there are a few considerations that should be taken into account.
In Hong Kong, numerous types of bank accounts are available. Banks must be licensed and approved by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) before they can offer banking services to companies. Banks in Singapore must hold a wholesale banking license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Both cities also have strict rules and regulations that must be followed. Although this provides security, ensuring all the necessary paperwork is in place before setting up a bank account is essential.

Final Word

In conclusion, Hong Kong and Singapore offer a wide range of benefits, including low taxes, incentives for investment, access to high-level talent, and sophisticated infrastructure.
Understanding the cost structure of each city is also essential to make an informed decision on which location would best suit a company's needs.

With these considerations in mind and the high growth of business activity in the Far East, it is clear that these two locations provide great potential for successful expansion than many other places in the region.