Balance of power swings towards Asia
Yet, despite the positive signs and upbeat mood, they should avoid thinking it's "business as usual". After any global crisis, things simply don't revert in due course to the status quo. Economies rebalance, spheres of influence change and new patterns emerge, affecting trade, financial markets and everything tied to those two engines.
So, while businesses in Hong Kong will continue to depend on all the traditional factors - notably American policy and the strength of trade with overseas markets - this year is also likely to prove a real watershed. Key data reported worldwide clearly indicates that the downturn has served to accelerate the shifting dynamics of the global economy. The tilt towards Asia is there for all to see and, for companies everywhere, it is now a matter of how best to adapt to the realities of fundamental change.
Hong Kong should be able to maintain its role as an important international hub. But in all sectors, from hospitality to banking, education to logistics, most corporate plans centre squarely on mainland opportunities and ways to capitalise on either its domestic market, spending power or various investment needs.
That trend is already having a major impact on hiring, as seen in the results of the latest SCMP/admanGo survey, which summarises the number of job advertisements placed in Hong Kong's main recruitment publications.
Confirming a broad-based recovery, the figures show 143,944 new positions advertised last year, as against the 103,240 of 2009. Comparative fourth-quarter numbers showed a 28.2 per cent jump from 27,228 ads in 2009 to 34,899 last year and, allowing for slower activity before the Lunar New Year, the general upward curve is set to continue in the months ahead.
Significantly, but not surprisingly, the sectors showing the biggest job growth were those benefiting most directly from mainland money. Retail servicing, thanks to the influx of about 22 million mainland tourists, advertised 14,703 positions last year, up from 8,428 in 2009, while hotels and catering, for the same reason, surged from 7,081 vacancies in 2009 to 12,571 last year.
Other functions - including finance, sales, engineering and management - were similarly buoyant, with employers and recruitment firms again facing a shortage of candidates.
Forecasting local GDP growth of 4 to 5 per cent and inflation at 2 to 3 per cent for this year, David O'Rear, chief economist for the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, expects expansion, but warns that people should not get too carried away. "We had a trade crisis, not a financial crisis," he says. "But any future move towards protectionism or currency wars could still be a serious threat."
He points out that, with no real trade barriers in Hong Kong, there is a tendency to think you can't do much to influence international policy. However, he adds, this is a fallacy. "Companies that operate here have a tremendous amount of influence; they can make their voices heard and should use their clout," O'Rear says.
He also notes that, as things evolve, it would be a mistake for businesses to become over-reliant on the mainland and thus neglect opportunities elsewhere. Many in the finance sector, for example, seem to be pinning their hopes for this year on mainland-backed initial public offerings and yuan-denominated financial instruments. The risk lies in becoming too government-dependent and too narrow in outlook.
"Hong Kong has all the entrepreneurial instincts to take advantage of opportunities that arise from Beijing's industrial plan," O'Rear says. "But we should also be looking at other places for new business, so the entirety is not from China."
Describing local labour market conditions as generally robust, Donna Kwok, Greater China economist at HSBC, expects further job creation this year, led by the services sector, which she extends to finance, transport and logistics.
"Businesses are struggling to keep up with [hiring] demand and a tightening market is swinging in favour of workers, not employers," she says.
In this context, she notes that Hong Kong is moving closer to sustaining its own "virtuous cycle" of recovery, with more people in work boosting purchasing power per household. This, in turn, generates further consumer demand and sales.
Kwok's main concern is that loose monetary conditions in the United States, and any spillover effect on the mainland, could still derail progress.
"We see inflation as a sticky problem for policy makers," she says. "So far, wage levels have been rising along with employment. [But we need higher] domestic consumption feeding back into more positive labour market numbers."
Cliff Sun, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, whose 3,000 or so corporate members already know the mainland's importance as a manufacturing base, says it will spur efforts to make the mainland a prime "export" market for Hong Kong-based firms.
He sees this as simply another step in the transformation of the manufacturing and allied industries, which have traditionally led the way in recognising and responding to changing economic circumstances.
"Overseas consumers are still cautious about spending money, so there is a reshuffling of the cards," Sun says. "China will continue to be the world's factory. With [international] sales sluggish, Hong Kong companies need to look at the mainland consumer market as the next focus."
This strategy, he believes, will help to preserve and create jobs. His personal concern, though, is that Hong Kong, from government level down, should still be doing more to boost its competitiveness. This is the best long-term guarantee of prosperity and job growth, he adds.
"Our government maintains a tone of minimum intervention, but it doesn't need so much in profits tax," Sun says. "That money could be used to encourage [research and development], design and innovation, which will also lead to more jobs."
Listings herald continuing demand
Accounting and finance
With more than 100 initial public offerings expected locally this year, Rosanna Choi, chairman of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants Hong Kong, is perhaps understating the case when she rates the general outlook for the profession as quite promising.
Those listings, along with other audit, acquisition and compliance work, are certain to create continued demand for graduate trainees and experienced personnel.
"In addition, there will be many other business and capital transactions in China requiring accountants with the technical skills to value target companies, assess risks, dig out hidden liabilities and lay out plans for operating efficiency and effectiveness," Choi says.
She foresees continuing need for qualified professionals in the commercial sector, with financial controllers and internal auditors right up to the most senior roles.
As a direct result of the global crisis, she also notices a trend for more graduates to train first as accountants rather than aiming straight for investment or retail banking.
James Carss, executive general manager of Hudson Hong Kong, similarly expects a strong year for employment across the broader finance sector.
"This will lead to candidate shortages in niche areas such as risk, compliance and for revenue-generating sales staff with strong networks," he says.
He also predicts an increase in the use of social media by candidates and employers to explore opportunities and identify talent.
Demand for engineers to increase
Engineering
Last year saw a sharp ri