Hong Kong has retained its leading position in three out of six major industries within the Greater Bay Area, according to an index comparing the relative advantages of 11 cities across the southern Chinese region.
Shenzhen held onto its top spot in innovation and technology as well as manufacturing, while Guangzhou remained the leader in real estate.
The Greater Bay Area Industry Development Index, compiled by Our Hong Kong Foundation and Dah Sing Bank, surveyed 3,400 companies across the 11 cities.
The index, which made its debut last year, covered financial services, innovation and technology (I&T), trade and logistics, manufacturing, construction and real estate, and culture, sports and tourism.
The bay area is a central government scheme to link Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in neighbouring Guangdong province into an economic and business powerhouse.
Five industries recorded year-on-year growth, with I&T and manufacturing reporting faster expansion. The only shrinking sector was construction and real estate.
