Hong Kong to raise annual GDP forecast after robust growth in first half of 2026

Hong Kong authorities will raise the city’s full-year economic growth forecast after a stronger-than-expected performance in the first half of 2026, the finance chief has said, pledging to further promote the global use of the yuan after the coming debut of offshore Chinese government bond futures on the local stock exchange.Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his weekly blog post on Sunday that the Census and Statistics Department would raise its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast later this month after the economy expanded by 5.1 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026.The city’s economy is currently projected to expand between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent in 2026 from last year.Chan said the city’s exports would continue to benefit from strong global demand for artificial intelligence products in the second half of the year.Sustained overseas demand for Hong Kong’s financial and business services and a rise in tourist arrivals would also drive growth in services exports, supporting local consumption and investment sentiment.However, Chan cautioned that geopolitical developments, US dollar interest rates and other uncertainties could still affect the city’s economic outlook.“We will remain highly vigilant and work hard to grow the economy while safeguarding economic and financial security,” he said.