FACILITATING BUSINESS AND ENHANCING HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH INNOVATIVE SERVICES
Companies Registry

Exemplary Services@Gov
2017
Only Cantonese version is available for this video

The Companies Registry (CR) has been applying innovative ideas and technology to provide customer-oriented and diversified services to help over 1.37 million registered companies reduce their operational and compliance costs, thus facilitating business operation and strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international financial and commercial centre.

MEETING CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS THROUGH MOBILE SERVICES

The Registry is committed to providing quality electronic services. Since 2005, online search services have been available through the Cyber Search Centre with a current usage rate at 99.6%. To further enhance search services to facilitate business decisions, the Company Search Mobile Service was launched in 2012 where customers can obtain up-to-date company information via smartphones and other mobile devices anywhere and anytime. In 2016, as many as 1.4 million company searches were conducted through mobile devices.

The Registry also launched the e-Registry portal in 2011 to provide one-stop electronic services for company incorporation and business registration. Since 2015, the e-Registry has been offering a full-scale electronic filing service covering 84 forms, a free Annual Return e-Reminder Service, as well as an e-Monitor Service to assist companies in keeping track of document filing records.

In 2017, the Registry launched a free “CR eFiling” mobile application which enables registered users of the e-Registry to incorporate a company or submit commonly-filed forms using mobile devices. The Registry is the first government department to develop such a mobile application.

PURSUING EXCELLENCE AND GAINING WIDE RECOGNITION

The Registry has spared no effort to continuously enhance its services. Over the past few years, it has shortened the processing time of a number of services, including the provision of certificates online and at the Public Search Centre, the registration of company documents and charges, etc.

Moreover, the implementation of the new Companies Ordinance has been very smooth since it came into operation in 2014. Various measures have been introduced to streamline the statutory procedures to increase the overall efficiency of starting a business in Hong Kong. This includes abolishing the requirement for companies to have a memorandum of association as a constitutional document as well as making the keeping and the use of a common seal optional.

To meet the needs of customers, the Registry collects their feedback through different channels, including the Customer Liaison Group, surveys, meetings and seminars. Customers can also provide their feedback through the Customer Suggestions / Comments Form, the Registry’s website, enquiry hotline, etc. In addition to organising publicity programmes to promote new services, the Registry also works closely with the Trade and Industry Department, Invest Hong Kong, as well as the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (Mainland and overseas).

According to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 report, Hong Kong was ranked the world’s fourth easiest place to do business. In terms of “starting a business”, Hong Kong’s ranking went up to the third place internationally. The rankings fully reflect the wide recognition of the Registry’s dedicated efforts and distinguished achievements.

The Companies Registry promotes its new services in various ways such as exhibitions and seminars.
The free “CR eFiling” Mobile Application facilitates company incorporation and submission of commonly-filed forms.
The Corporate Registers Forum 2017 organised by the Registry has attracted around 200 delegates from 59 jurisdictions to share experience and views.