Hong Kong Signs 60th Tax Pact with Slovenia, Boosting Trade Ties
RTHK · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong signed a comprehensive double taxation avoidance agreement with Slovenia on Friday, 4 September 2026, representing the city's 60th such treaty. Financial Secretary Christopher Hui convened with Slovenia's Ambassador to China at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government offices, where he formally signed the agreement on behalf of Hong Kong. The pact is the 15th signed under the current administration and the fifth this year alone, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong's ongoing efforts to expand its treaty network. The signing ceremony comes after nearly a year of negotiations, with Hui having visited Slovenia in September 2025 to kickstart discussions. The agreement is expected to provide greater tax certainty for businesses operating across both jurisdictions.
Key Points
- The agreement with Slovenia is Hong Kong's 60th comprehensive double taxation avoidance treaty and the 15th under the current administration
- Financial Secretary Christopher Hui signed the pact with Slovenia's Ambassador to China in Hong Kong on 4 September 2026
- This marks the fifth tax treaty signed by Hong Kong this year, continuing the administration's aggressive expansion of its treaty network
- Slovenia is identified as an important European trading partner for Hong Kong and an active participant in the Belt and Road Initiative
- Hui travelled to Slovenia in September 2025 to negotiate the agreement, which received positive response from the Slovenian government
Why It Matters
The treaty with Slovenia strengthens Hong Kong's position as a global financial centre by providing tax certainty for businesses engaged in cross-border activities. By clarifying taxation rights between the two jurisdictions, the agreement reduces the risk of double taxation and helps investors better assess potential tax liabilities when conducting business in either location. This expansion of Hong Kong's treaty network also supports broader trade and investment flows between Europe and Asia, with Slovenia serving as a gateway given its Belt and Road participation.
The treaty with Slovenia strengthens Hong Kong's position as a global financial centre by providing tax certainty for businesses engaged in cross-border activities. By clarifying taxation rights between the two jurisdictions, the agreement reduces the risk of double taxation and helps investors better assess potential tax liabilities when conducting business in either location. This expansion of Hong Kong's treaty network also supports broader trade and investment flows between Europe and Asia, with Slovenia serving as a gateway given its Belt and Road participation.