The Department of Invest Hong Kong said Friday it helped 265 firms establish or expand their business presence in Hong Kong last year, which is its record in attracting foreign direct investment to the city.

Director-General of Investment Promotion Simon Galpin said the figure showed investors' confidence in the city despite the challenging global economic environment.

"Hong Kong's strategic location and international exposure make it an ideal two-way service platform for Chinese mainland companies to go global and for foreign companies to access opportunities in the Chinese mainland," Galpin said.

The 265 companies plan to create more than 6,000 new jobs within the first two years of their operation or expansion in Hong Kong. Of the companies, the Asia-Pacific Region accounts for 43 percent, Europe 35 percent and North America 18 percent.

The Chinese mainland continued to be the single largest market by source, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom.

By priority sector, the top three performers were business and professional services (including education services and design), technology (including renewable energy), and special projects (including environmental technology and the wine sector).

Galpin said the department has realigned its priority sectors and boosted its research and aftercare capabilities to encompass the six new growth industries where the city has a clear competitive advantage.

It will increase its activities to attract firms from emerging markets such as India, Latin America, the Middle East and Russia this year, while promoting the combined advantages of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, particularly the Pearl River Delta region.