〈The Standard, July 29, 2023〉The northern metropolis is to be the future focus of growth for Hong Kong's economy and development initiatives, and the pace of development there is accelerating.

Of the areas in the Northern Metropolis footprint, a site within the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area has been proposed as the main terrain for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen western cross-boundary railway.

As such, the area is set to be reinvented as a core business district and developed into a regional economic and cultural hub.

In recent years, several large-scale developers have already "planted their flags" in the area. Some have even taken the lead in building large-scale housing estates. The projects are expected to be launched in the market one after another, bringing drastic changes to the district.

〈The Standard, July 28, 2023〉The commercial property market is not as exuberant as it used to be, and transaction numbers and prices are no longer staying high due to various challenges. However, there is no lack of short-term speculation in the market.

A street-level shop on Electric Road in North Point was sold for HK$18.8 million at an average price of HK$37,600 per square foot.

The vendor is investor So Siu-yung, who has overseen a 57-percent appreciation in price of the property in just six months.

The shop is being occupied by Luck Store at HK$40,000 per month, an expected return of 2.3 percent.

〈Hong Kong Business, July 27, 2023〉The Bank of East Asia (BEA) is raising its standard savings rate for HK dollar savings accounts to 0.875% per annum (pa) for deposit balances above HK$5,000.

It has increased from the previous 0.75% pa.

Its HK Dollar prime rate will also be increased from 6% pa to 6.125% pa.

〈Asian Post, July 26, 2023〉Company culture can positively influence a company’s financial performance, according to seven in 10 (72%) CEOs in Hong Kong.

In fact, 82% of business leaders said their companies have seen improved financial results from working on culture.

In response to growing evidence that company culture can help boost overall performance, the majority of CEOs (83%) in the city have been working on culture initiatives.

Data from the Heidrick & Struggles report showed that Hong Kong CEOs view" agility, innovation and growth mindset" (72%) as the top cultural element which can boost financial performance, followed by "markets, and direction and purpose" (58%).

〈BBC news, July 251, 2023〉The world's largest economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.4% in the three months to June, accelerating from a rate of 2% in the prior quarter.

That was far better than expected, lifted by a jump in business investment.

Consumer spending increased at an annual rate of 1.6%, slowing after a surge at the start of the year.

Analysts have been warning of looming slowdown for months as the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, raises interest rates sharply to try to stabilise prices, which soared last year.