Hong Kong, July 2019: A condensed press review prepared by the Consulate General of Switzerland in HK

Economy + Finance

• Hong Kong’s MPF wipes out last year’s losses with strong first-half gains thanks to stocks rally, easing of trade war (SCMP, July 5)
• Political unrest hitting Hong Kong where it hurts – in the wallet (SCMP, July 8)
• Expat bankers struggle to find new jobs in Hong Kong as cost-cutting and demand for Mandarin speakers change labour market (SCMP, July 12)
• Hong Kong protests will put off 350,000 mainland Chinese tourists this year, HSBC estimates (SCMP, July 16)
• Hong Kong unveils plan to install 400 multifunctional lamp posts as part of smart city drive (SCMP, July 17)
• Hong Kong’s retail sector may see double-digit decline year on year over summer holidays due to extradition bill protests, business association warns (SCMP, July 17)
• Standard Chartered cuts Hong Kong’s growth prospects through 2021 as US-China trade war puts the squeeze on city’s economy (SCMP, July 19)
• Hong Kong teachers and researchers working on mainland to get three-year tax break in bid to boost Greater Bay Area (SCMP, July 22)
• Hong Kong’s crucial retail sector slowed by high rent, manpower shortage and staff turnover, survey shows (SCMP, July 23)
• Hong Kong promotes Eddie Yue to lead monetary authority, taking no chances on its choice amid turbulent economic times (SCMP, July 26)
• Hong Kong’s export slump hits three-year low in June 2019 due to US-China trade war and drop in local consumption (SCMP, July 26)
• Extradition bill protests will hit Hong Kong economy as it reels from US-China trade war, Financial Secretary Paul Chan says (SCMP, July 28)
• American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong urges ‘clear leadership’, investigation after more extradition bill clashes (SCMP, July 29)
• Hong Kong protests, government ‘inability’ to address concerns damaging business confidence, Fitch warns (SCMP, July 31)  

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