Hong Kong's economic success is largely due to its free market system. The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region governs that the capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged after June 30, 1997. Policy-makers and the business community well recognize the importance of maintaining Hong Kong's free market economy.

The PRI Hong Kong Free Market Index (FMI) is a bi-annual index monitoring the possible changes in Hong Kong's status as a free market economy over time.