11th Belt and Road Summit Concludes with Record Deals and New Chapters

The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully after two days of intense activity. The event drew over 6,200 political and business leaders from more than 70 countries and regions, showcased over 300 investment projects, arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, and facilitated over 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The Summit focused on business globalisation, new market opportunities, and cross-regional cooperation, with a particular emphasis on deepening Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with emerging markets such as ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East. A major highlight was the introduction of the first-ever GoGlobal Chapter, designed to help Chinese Mainland enterprises expand overseas. The Chapter included thematic sessions, the GoGlobal Connect Zone, roundtable discussions, and a business study mission. At the GoGlobal Connect Zone, Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd. signed an MoU with Deloitte Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited, with Chen Li, President of TIRAIN, noting that the partnership would combine their technological strengths with Deloitte's global tax, legal, and labour expertise to enhance competitiveness.

Building on Chief Executive John Lee's visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, the Summit introduced a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and Central Asia Zone, bringing together officials and business leaders to explore opportunities such as Kazakhstan's Alatau City and Data Center Valley. Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, highlighted his country's aerospace foundation and plans for a satellite system and digital platform. The Middle East Chapter and Zone further strengthened ties with the region, with a Business Plenary focusing on Middle East and African markets and a Project Investment Session featuring representatives from Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, and South Africa. At the Signature Projects Session, Enver Iskurt, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkiye, presented the Ankara-Istanbul super speed railway project and invited Hong Kong investors and engineering firms to participate. The Summit also facilitated MoUs, including one with Jabal Asset Management LLC of Oman, whose Managing Director Issa Al Battashi praised the event's role in connecting capital and institutions.

In addition to the main programme, the Exhibition Zones featured over 120 exhibitors across the Hong Kong Zone, Global Investment Zone, Chinese Mainland Zone, and ASEAN Zone, plus new University, GreenTech, and GoGlobal Connect Zones. As part of Belt and Road Week, ASEAN Market Day attracted 340 SMEs for consultation sessions with HKTDC's ASEAN offices and consulates. The HKTDC plans to launch more thematic promotion activities, including GoGBA Development Day, African Market Day, and Middle East Market Day. Although the Summit has ended, follow-up activities continue, with the Belt and Road Deal-Making extending online to 14-15 September and the Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable 2026 bringing together representatives from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and international chambers of commerce. This year marks the HKTDC's 60th anniversary, and it remains committed to promoting Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub through international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions.