HONG KONG, March 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong small businesses that are investing in technology are enjoying quick returns on their investment, which is leading to the sector topping small businesses from other advanced economies in the adoption of technology.
The findings, from CPA Australia's ninth annual Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey, follow extensive surveying of nearly 3,000 small business operators in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Janssen Chan, Chairperson of CPA Australia's SME Committee in Greater China 2018, said the survey results show that Hong Kong's small businesses are more proactive in the use of technologies in their businesses compared to other developed markets such as Singapore and Australia.
"Out of 310 respondents from Hong Kong, 53.5 per cent earned more than ten per cent of their revenue online in the past 12 months and 54.5 per cent generated more than ten per cent of their sales from new payment technologies such as PayPal, Apple Pay, WeChatPay and AliPay.
"Given that 48.1 per cent of respondents stated that their investment in technology in 2017 has already boosted their profitability, it is easy to see why so many of Hong Kong's small businesses are choosing technology solutions to help them grow their business," Mr Chan stated.
Overall, the commitment of Hong Kong small businesses to digital technologies is contributing to increased confidence about growth.
"We see 2018 being very positive for Hong Kong's small businesses, with 61.6 per cent expecting to grow -- the best result for Hong Kong since 2011," Mr Chan said.
"This builds on a strong 2017, where a record number of Hong Kong small businesses reported growing (65.5 per cent), bettering the results from the other developed markets surveyed."
Recent government announcements on profits tax, innovation and research and development (R&D) should provide further stimulus to the sector.
"With innovation also being a key driver of business growth, the significant public investment in innovation announced in the Budget, and the proposed super tax deduction for eligible R&D expenditure should enhance the innovative culture of many businesses in Hong Kong," Mr Chan stated.
"Further, the proposed cut in the profits tax rate to 8.25 per cent for the first HK$2 million in profits earned by a company will be of significant benefit to many Hong Kong SMEs.
"At a time when the sector is facing cost pressures such as high rents, and some are expecting difficult financing conditions, the benefit of the extra cash that will be left in the pockets of many small businesses by the profits tax cut cannot be underestimated," Mr Chan said.
High rents and staffing costs continue to be a major challenge to many Hong Kong small businesses. A focus on cost control and digital technologies are helping to address that challenge.
"Technologies such as online sales can reduce the need for space and having to be in high rent locations. Digital technologies and increasing automation can also free up staff to work on higher value-added activities," Mr Chan stated.
The increasing use of technology in business does come with a downside -- making the business more vulnerable to a cyberattack, particularly if the business has not made the appropriate investments in cybersecurity.
"Our results show that Hong Kong's small business could improve their cybersecurity by having a stronger focus on improving security around access to their systems, including multi-factor authentication before users are allowed onto their system.
"We would also suggest small businesses take a cautious attitude towards the acceptance of cryptocurrencies in payments.
"We are delighted to see Hong Kong small business sector gaining strength. One of the major reasons that Hong Kong's small businesses are doing much better than competitors from other developed economies is their greater willingness to embrace digital technologies and FinTech.
"The pick-up in growth in the Mainland's economy and recent policy initiatives by the government should provide further fillip to this critical sector of the economy," Mr Chan said.
CPA Australia has suggested six tips for Hong Kong's small businesses in 2018:
About CPA Australia
CPA Australia is one of the world's largest accounting bodies with more than 163,000 members working in 125 countries and regions around the world, with more than 25,000 members working in senior leadership positions. It has established a strong membership base of more than 18,000 in the Greater China region.
About CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey
The CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey provides annual insights into the views of small businesses across the region and forms part of a longitudinal study that began in 2009. The ninth CPA Australia's annual Survey, follow extensive surveying of nearly 3,000 small business operators in eight markets include Hong Kong, Mainland China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chongqing), Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Market Summary -- Hong Kong
Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey
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