Toyko, Sydney aim to lure edgy Hong Kong financial firms, but Singapore a top draw

A general view of the financial Central district in Hong Kong, China July 25, 2019. Reuters

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (Reuters): Japan, Australia and some other nations are readying incentives to attract banks and asset managers in Hong Kong that are worried about the new security law imposed by China, but finance sector experts said even if they move, it will be to Singapore.

High taxes and costs, bloated bureaucracies and cultural differences in some of these Asia-Pacific nations present formidable challenges for the Hong Kong financial institutions to relocate even partially, while Singapore’s similarities to Hong Kong give it an advantage, they said, though the Southeast Asian city-state has not actively been seeking such business.

Beijing imposed a tough national security law from July 1 on Hong Kong, regional home to many global financial groups, prompting companies to reassess their operations there.

Hong Kong’s financial regulators said last week they had been approached by institutions concerned about the law, but they said it would not affect operations.

Nonetheless, rivals hope to benefit from the concerns.

“The political upheaval in Hong Kong has created an opportunity for Australia and Sydney to become a stronger regional financial centre,” Senator Andrew Bragg wrote to Australia’s Treasurer this month, proposing policy changes.

Japan included attracting “excellent human resources” to form a global financial centre in an economic policy roadmap earlier this month, following official remarks they could win business from Hong Kong.

Ruling party draft proposals include visa support and streamlining approvals for investment management licences.

Smaller financial centres are also trying their luck.

Busan in South Korea is offering tax breaks and rent free offices to financial firms, while Taiwan’s top regulator told Reuters he hoped the island’s rule of law and democratic values would attract business.

Uphill struggle

However, the mooted reforms do not move the dial enough, say some sector professionals.

“Tokyo will, frankly, struggle to steal significant market share from, let alone replace, Hong Kong,” said Steven Tran, a partner at law firm Mayer Brown in Hong Kong, who was previously based in Tokyo for four years.

Tran said Japanese taxes, together with a perceived greater level of bureaucracy, higher labour costs and less English language fluency, would make it harder for financial institutions to operate regional hubs from Tokyo.

Hong Kong’s corporate tax rate of 16.5% is a little over half that of Japan’s and Australia’s, and among the lowest in the region.

Convincing senior staff to give up an international lifestyle in Hong Kong is another challenge.

“Typically, when expatriates move to Japan they need much more hand-holding than when moving to Hong Kong,” said Jeremy Laughlin, a Tokyo-based business development manager at Santa Fe Relocation.

Language and cultural difficulties as well as the absence of adequate financial infrastructure could scupper South Korea and Taiwan’s efforts too.

Cultural issues are less difficult for Australia, but Financial Services Council CEO Sally Loane said Australia needed to implement greater tax reform and make regulatory changes to align its fund management industry with other Asian jurisdictions to attract Hong Kong business.

Singapore, or stay?

Institutions have not made any major moves from Hong Kong as yet, but they are being circumspect even about discussing contingency plans as the topic is sensitive and many hope to expand in mainland China.

Lawyers and advisers say Singapore is the most likely beneficiary of any relocation, thanks to its corporate tax rate of 17%, a business friendly environment, and its standing as a financial centre.

“Everyone is competing for talent but in terms of population, economic profile, and ease of doing business, Singapore is the most similar to Hong Kong,” said Jason Salim, a Singapore-based analyst at risk consultancy Control Risks.