More than half of HK’s SMEs expects business growth this year

A CPA Australia survey showed that six out of 10 Hong Kong small and medium-enterprises (SMEs) are confident about their outlook in the second quarter, as they expect a boost from the upcoming easing of social distancing rules, consumption vouchers, and employment support programme. The majority of the 300 finance executives surveyed from March 18 to 23 said they could cope with the fifth wave of the coronavirus outbreak, while many expect their businesses to grow. The government is expected to announce an easing of social distancing restrictions from April 21. In a November-December survey by CPA Australia of more than 4,000 SMEs across 11 markets in Asia including Hong Kong, 40% of small business operators in the city – defined as those with 20 or fewer staff – expected their business to grow this year.