Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for February 2026
The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 43.4 in January 2026 in the contractionary zone to 45.3 in February 2026, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. March 2026) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.6. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for all the surveyed sectors rose in February 2026 as compared with previous month, particularly for the retail trade (from 38.4 to 41.4), restaurants (from 38.6 to 41.4) and import and export trades (from 45.7 to 47.4).
The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades increased from 46.0 in January 2026 to 47.1 in February 2026, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. March 2026) was 47.9.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business sentiment amongst SMEs improved in February, with the current and outlook diffusion indices on business receipts for SMEs both rising to near two-year highs. The current diffusion index on employment for SMEs also improved from the preceding month.
Looking ahead, local business sentiment will be supported by the sustained expansion of the economy. The Government will closely monitor the evolving external environment, including the developments surrounding the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the frequently shifting trade and economic policies of major economies.
Further information
The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to companies with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent companies in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own companies rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
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FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
| District Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 14 survey areas in March, most of the areas recorded 0 per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
Among these 14 survey areas, 12 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. February 2026), representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Two other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission. Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN Minister Kung Leads Delegation to San Francisco to Deepen Taiwan-U.S. Cooperation in Scientific Innovation and Industrial TechnologySource: Republic of China Taiwan On January 23, Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung led a delegation to San Francisco. 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Their discussions focused on seven key areas: promoting AI supply chain development, digital infrastructure, critical minerals supply, unmanned aircraft systems supply chains, high-tech talent cultivation, Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in third countries, and bilateral economic cooperation. Both sides explored ways to continue deepening the Taiwan-U.S. relationship. The meeting yielded fruitful results, and the U.S. and Taiwan plan to establish working groups on important cooperation topics to sustain dialogue and expand outcomes. Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung Elaborates on Taiwan’s Critical Role in Global Supply ChainsSource: Republic of China Taiwan On January 28 at the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C., Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung delivered a keynote speech and participated in an interview titled Taiwan’s Role in Global Supply Chains and the Future of US-Taiwan Ties, where he elaborated on Taiwan’s pivotal role in global supply chains. During the well-received event, Minister Kung emphasized that Taiwan will be indispensable in two areas: the “explosive growth of AI” and the “creation of non-Red supply chains.” He expressed his hope that Taiwan and the United States could work together to make even greater contributions to the world. Following the event, Minister Kung also held a closed-door meeting to exchange views on deepening the Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade partnership. Major U.S. chambers of commerce, industry associations, technology companies, think tanks, and trade experts attended the meeting. Minister Kung noted that over the past decade, major developments would include the U.S.-China trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Throughout these challenges, Taiwan has demonstrated immense resilience, gradually shifting from a reliance on the Chinese market to a global strategic layout. Leveraging its strength in the global foundry and IC packaging/testing markets, Taiwan has formed a close technological synergy based on diverse competencies with U.S. IC design firms. Minister Kung emphasized that the Taiwan-U.S. economic partnership has continued to grow during this process. From 2020 to 2024, Taiwanese investment in the U.S. grew at an average annual rate of 36%. Currently, Taiwanese manufacturers have established semiconductor and ICT industry clusters across several U.S. states, including California, Arizona, and Texas. Looking ahead, under the trend of “non-Red supply chains,” Taiwan and the U.S. will collaborate comprehensively in critical fields such as next-generation communications, low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), critical minerals, and biotechnology. 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About 97% require an education level of Secondary Seven or below, while around 55% are open to job seekers without relevant work experience. The event will take place from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok. Admission is free, with final admission set at 5pm each day. Director-General of OASES visits Strategic Enterprise Biren Technology’s exhibition centre to explore innovative computing solutionsSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Director-General of OASES visits Strategic Enterprise Biren Technology’s exhibition centre to explore innovative computing solutions NNNN Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.4 million at airportSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.4 million at airport. An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 20:45 NNNN Speech by CE at International Women’s Day Reception 2026Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Speech by CE at International Women’s Day Reception 2026 Allow me to address our English-speaking friends. Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a day of profound significance around the world. We are here this morning to honour the global contributions of women and to recognise the inspiring vision, leadership and resilience of women in our community. Hong Kong women enrich different aspects of our society. Over the years, in so many ways, women have challenged prejudices, erased boundaries and embraced opportunities. And done so through remarkable achievements in government, business, the professions, academia, the arts, innovation, family life, and so much more. Women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, women’s talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong’s continuing success. Last October, China, our country, hosted the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing. The international gathering brought together leaders and experts from around the world to advance gender equality and the cause of women everywhere. At the Meeting, President Xi Jinping noted that “women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilisation, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women”. Our country has long championed women’s development, upholding gender equality as a fundamental policy priority. 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Thank you! 多謝大家。 NNNN More than 1 100 students experience building spectacular horticultural display for Hong Kong Flower ShowSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region More than 1 100 students experience building spectacular horticultural display for Hong Kong Flower Show NNNN |