The 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking places Hong Kong second and Switzerland third among 70 economies globally, reaffirming the strength of their institutions, business environments, infrastructure and capacity for innovation.
But what lies behind this ranking and how can highly open economies sustain their competitiveness in an increasingly complex and interconnected world?
Moving beyond the headline ranking, this event will explore the structural drivers of competitiveness and the policy, institutional and business conditions that enable smaller, open economies to remain resilient, adaptable and globally relevant. Switzerland and Hong Kong offer a particularly valuable basis for comparison.
The discussion, featuring IMD President David Bach and Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury HKSAR, will offer an opportunity to reflect on what Switzerland and Hong Kong can learn from one another and how both economies can build on their respective strengths.
