More healthcare professionals, AI-skilled talent wanted
Hong Kong is expanding its Talent List to include a total of 51 professions as the government seeks to lure 35,000 professionals to the financial hub.
"The Talent List covered 13 professions. As for today, the Talent List is expanded to comprise altogether 51 professions, covering nine sectors," said Labour Secretary Chris Sun.
These nine sectors include:
- Business Support
- Creative Industries, Arts and Culture, Performing Arts
- Development and Construction
- Environmental Technology Services
- Financial Services
- Healthcare Services
- Innovation and Technology
- Legal and Dispute Services
- Maritime Services
In this expansion, Healthcare Services industry saw the highest number of covered professionals with 13. Another notable profession in the list is the inclusion of experienced artificial intelligence specialists, reflecting the growing demand for AI-skilled talents across the world.
"The main thrust of our manpower policy is nurturing local talent, complemented by attracting outside talent, with a view to enriching the talent pool of Hong Kong and meeting our social and economic development needs," a government spokesperson said in a statement.
"The expanded list helps us attract more high-quality talent supporting the high-quality economic and social development of Hong Kong."
The Talent List first started out with 11 professions in 2018, before it was expanded to 13 in 2021.
This latest version came after Chief Executive John Lee's 2022 Policy Address announced that it would be further expanded to reflect the latest shortage of professional and technical talent in Hong Kong.
35,000 people wanted
Expanding the talent list is also part of the government's strategies to attract over tens of thousands of professionals to Hong Kong.
"The overall KPI (key performance indicator) we set for ourselves on talent is to attract at least 35,000 talent into Hong Kong each year from this year to the next two years and they are expected to stay in Hong Kong for at least 12 months through the talent admission schemes," Sun said in an interview with the media.
These talents can come to the country under three schemes, including the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, General Employment Policy, and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals.
Those who are interested in submitting applications can do so using the government's electronic application platform on the Immigration Department's website.
According to Sun, the warm reception to the government's talent admission schemes is making them optimistic in meeting the 35,000-goal.
"We are confident that we are going to make that target for this year, having regard to the very positive response to the various schemes we have put in place to attract talent from out of Hong Kong to Hong Kong to help us grow our economy," Sun said.
