Hong Kong and Norway enter into tax pact (with photos)

On December 16, 2025, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong, Mr. Christopher Hui, signed a tax agreement known as a CDTA with Norway, led by Ambassador Vebjørn Dysvik. This agreement, concluded six months after Mr. Hui's visit to Norway, allocates taxing rights to avoid double taxation and establishes tax credit mechanisms.

The CDTA covers the taxation of Hong Kong residents in Norway and vice versa, reducing withholding tax rates on dividends and promoting tax credits. This is expected to improve the business environment for both nations.

Throughout 2025, Hong Kong signed four CDTAs, including agreements with Jordan, Maldives, Norway, and Rwanda, bringing the total number of CDTAs to 55. Mr. Hui underscored Hong Kong's commitment to international tax cooperation and expanding its network of tax treaties.

The agreement will undergo ratification and implementation, with the Chief Executive issuing an order under the Inland Revenue Ordinance and the agreement being tabled for approval at the Legislative Council. Detailed information is available on the Inland Revenue Department's website.

During the meeting, Mr. Hui discussed potential CDTAs with Slovenia and Oman and highlighted Hong Kong's initiatives in enhancing tax transparency, having been removed from tax blacklists of Chile, Colombia, and Portugal.

At the meeting, Mr. Hui emphasized Hong Kong's strengths as a financial and commercial center, exploring opportunities for collaboration in maritime finance, green finance, and wealth management. Additionally, he met with the Ministry of Finance to discuss preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers' Meeting ("FMM") 2026, which will be hosted in Hong Kong in October 2026.