Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
December 01, 2025
Hong Kong-Italy Business Summit Forges New Asian Market Pathways
TLDR
- HKTDC's Milan event offers Italian companies a strategic advantage to access Asian markets through Hong Kong's financial hubs and business networks.
- The HKTDC organized symposiums, business matching meetings, and networking sessions to facilitate partnerships between Hong Kong and Italian companies across multiple sectors.
- This event strengthens international cooperation and cultural exchange, building bridges between Europe and Asia for mutual economic growth and innovation.
- Over 1,000 participants explored creative fusion between Italian craftsmanship and Hong Kong's cultural vibrancy at the historic Palazzo Mezzanotte venue.
Impact - Why it Matters
This event represents a significant expansion of economic collaboration between Europe and Asia at a time when global supply chains are being reconfigured and new market opportunities are emerging. For businesses, it demonstrates concrete pathways to access the massive Asian consumer market through Hong Kong's established financial and logistical infrastructure. The emphasis on digital trade, fintech, AI, and creative industries reflects the evolving nature of international commerce, where traditional manufacturing partnerships are being supplemented by innovation-driven collaborations. For Italian companies, this provides a strategic advantage in navigating complex Asian markets, while Hong Kong businesses gain enhanced access to European expertise in design, luxury goods, and advanced manufacturing. The successful revival of this partnership after an 11-year hiatus signals renewed confidence in cross-continental business relationships and offers a model for how regions can leverage their complementary strengths in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
Summary
The Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK) signature promotion, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), successfully returned to Milan on November 27, 2025, attracting over 1,000 participants to explore burgeoning opportunities between Hong Kong and Italy. This flagship event, held at Palazzo Mezzanotte - home of the Italian Stock Exchange - featured high-level dialogues and more than 260 on-site business matching meetings that connected Hong Kong and Italian companies across multiple sectors. The symposium brought together over 90 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, business leaders, financial services providers, and startup entrepreneurs, alongside Italian companies eager to expand into Asian markets. The event powerfully highlighted Hong Kong's role as both a superconnector and super value-adder, enabling enterprises to go global and seize opportunities across Europe and Asia.
Key speakers included Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan, HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma, and Italian Deputy Minister Valentino Valentini, who emphasized the flourishing economic partnership between the two regions. The discussions revealed that bilateral merchandise trade reached EUR 7.2 billion in 2024, with approximately 200 Italian companies maintaining operations in Hong Kong across sectors including fashion, luxury goods, banking, insurance, and logistics. The event featured five thematic sessions covering digital trade and finance (co-organized with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority), innovation and technology (supported by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation), global supply chain (co-organized with Invest Hong Kong), and two creative design sessions that brought together celebrated architects and designers from both regions to explore collaborative opportunities.
The networking components proved particularly impactful, with over 260 business matching meetings, one-on-one consultations, and dedicated networking opportunities facilitating concrete partnerships. Participants also engaged with the InnoVenture Salon and Business Support Zone, featuring more than 20 exhibitors from Hong Kong showcasing innovative services and technologies. The event culminated in the Hong Kong Dinner at Palazzo Parigi, attended by over 240 business leaders and government officials, further strengthening bilateral economic and cultural exchanges. This comprehensive gathering demonstrated Hong Kong's strategic position as a gateway to Asian markets while reinforcing Italy's role as a key European partner for businesses looking to expand internationally through platforms like the HKTDC's international exhibitions and business missions.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Hong Kong-Italy Business Summit Forges New Asian Market Pathways
