HKTDC Unveils Major Initiatives to Boost Efficiency and Tap New Markets

On its 60th anniversary, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) unveiled two major initiatives to enhance efficiency and tap new markets. Chairman Professor Frederick Ma announced a reorganization of services into six industry clusters—Finance and Professional Services, Global Network and Supply Chain, Technology and Digital Innovation, Wellness and Creative Industries, Consumer Goods and Lifestyle, and Corporate Development—aimed at providing comprehensive, integrated solutions. The HKTDC will also optimize its global network resources to capture opportunities in high-growth emerging markets, including Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Plans include strengthening consultant offices in Almaty (Kazakhstan), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), and setting up a new office in Cairo (Egypt), as well as enhancing capabilities in São Paulo (Brazil), Santiago (Chile), and across ASEAN and Europe. Executive Director Sophia Chong emphasized the customer-centric, industry-focused approach to help enterprises navigate complex trade environments. The initiatives align with Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative, leveraging Hong Kong's role as a superconnector. The HKTDC continues to support SMEs through international exhibitions, conferences, business missions, research reports, and digital news channels. For more details, visit the HKTDC's 60th Anniversary Celebration Activities page.

The reorganization is designed to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation by creating synergies among teams, enabling stakeholders to access one-stop support for market intelligence, exhibitions, investor matching, and expansion. The resource optimization targets emerging markets where global economic momentum is shifting, with enhanced support in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The HKTDC will also strengthen its presence in traditional markets like North America and expand the London office's oversight to Nordic markets. These moves are part of a broader strategy to help Hong Kong companies go global and attract international businesses to use Hong Kong as a base for expansion.

Professor Ma highlighted the success of a recent mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which opened doors for Hong Kong enterprises. By reconfiguring its global network, the HKTDC aims to support enterprises in capturing opportunities from economic corridors spanning Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as the Global South. The Council will also enhance promotional work in ASEAN countries and maintain two-way trade with North America. Through these initiatives, the HKTDC reaffirms its commitment to fostering economic cooperation and cultural exchange across Asia, Europe, and Africa, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong's economic development.