SMEs Archives - Page 4 of 6

HKTDC boosts Hong Kong’s competitive edge in high-value services

– “Digital Trade Masterclass” spotlights digital financing, e-bills of lading and retail supply chain management

The HKTDC continues to help SMEs seize digital trade opportunities by co-hosting with the ICC DSI a masterclass on technologies such as electronic bills of lading and blockchain. More than 200 SMEs took part.
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, emphasised that Hong Kong is actively developing its digital trade ecosystem, with a focus on innovation, efficiency and international collaboration, to consolidate its competitive advantages. As digital trade becomes more common, the HKTDC will ensure Hong Kong businesses continue to thrive and enhance the city’s role as a leading supply chain hub.
Pamela Mar, Managing Director of ICC DSI, noted that by aligning its finance, trade and logistics sectors with global digital trade standards, Hong Kong can remain competitive and resilient on the world stage and is well-positioned to spearhead Asia’s digital-trade development.
Andy Lam, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, said that the Government is making reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records and is considering legislative amendments to remove the legal hurdles in the digitalisation of trade documents. The target is to submit the relevant legislative proposal to the Legislative Council next year to help industry develop technical solutions based on their actual needs.

Digitalisation is reshaping the global economy, and companies must embrace digital transformation to capitalise on new opportunities. The 2025-26 Budget announced that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would make reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) advocated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and consider legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of trade documents. The legislative proposal will be submitted to the Legislative Council next year. The MLETR is a global standard advocated by the UNCITRAL to provide a legal framework for electronic trade documents. Aligning local legislation with standards of the MLETR is a major endeavour in promoting trade digitalisation. In line with these efforts, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the International Chamber of Commerce Digital Standards Initiative (ICC DSI) co-hosted the “Digital Trade Masterclass” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to examine the MLETR’s potential impact on Hong Kong’s cross-border trade. Industry experts shared practical insights on digital transformation, helping equip businesses with the information they need to enhance their high value-added service capabilities. More than 200 SMEs participated in the event.

As an international financial and trading centre and a leading re-export hub, Hong Kong is able to capitalise on its unique advantages to reinforce connectivity, serving as a bridge linking the mainland and global markets. It provides high-standard professional services, robust financial infrastructure and an innovative environment for international trade. The HKTDC works closely with the HKSAR Government to highlight the city’s strength in delivering high value-added services across the trade supply chain.

Speaking at the event, Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, said that with the changing trade landscape, there was no better time to reinforce Hong Kong’s competitive advantages. “Hong Kong is actively developing its digital trade ecosystem, with a focus on innovation, efficiency and international collaboration, to consolidate its competitive advantages. As digital trade becomes more common, we are committed to making sure Hong Kong businesses continue to thrive. It is also a great opportunity to reinforce our city’s role as a leading supply chain hub. The HKTDC is dedicated to helping businesses leverage innovative technologies to equip businesses to be future-ready. Our Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) examines trends in global trade and supply chains, innovation and digitalisation, while our support programmes, including Transformation Sandbox, help enterprises scale up their capabilities in key areas, including digital transformation and supply chain solutions, to empower SMEs and start-ups to benefit from digital trade.”

Pamela Mar, Managing Director of the ICC DSI, believes Hong Kong, as an international trade and logistics hub already aligned with global standards, will lead Asia’s future digital trade development by remaining competitive and resilient amid a shifting global landscape. “Finance, trade and logistics make up over 45 % of Hong Kong’s economy, so accelerating digitalisation in these sectors will have a positive economy-wide impact.”, said Pamela Mar. “Hong Kong is well-positioned to become a leader in this space by aligning global standards and building on its strength as a trusted hub. The adoption of MLETR is a vital step, providing legal certainty for electronic documents like bills of lading, while streamlining processes and enhancing traceability. But legal reform is only the beginning — even greater gains lie in the private sector stepping up its digital transformation, which can be enhanced by Web3 technologies.”

Andy Lam, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, said, “The HKSAR Government is committed to fostering an efficient business environment and maintaining the international competitiveness of Hong Kong. Facilitating the digitalisation of trade documents is part of this strategy. We anticipate that the industry would actively provide feedback and allow the Government to formulate a legal framework that is in line with the needs of the industry, on which basis the industry may propose different technical solutions. On the other hand, the Government is also pressing ahead with Phase 3 of the Trade Single Window, which will not only facilitate the industry in their submission of business-to-government trade documents such as import and export declarations, but will also connect with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)’s Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) to facilitate banks in accessing relevant data to process trade financing.”

Industry experts discuss challenges in trade digital transformation
Accelerating digital transformation across every link of the supply chain introduces unique challenges. At the Masterclass, the conference brought together specialists in digital trade finance, electronic bills of lading, digital freight and logistics, and digital retail supply chain management to share their practical experience and insights working on digital transformation.

Kenise Sin, Senior Data Analyst in the Financial Infrastructure Department at the HKMA, explained: “SMEs’ access to trade finance has long been hindered by different pain points in the process. For instance, the heavy reliance on paper-based documents has led to inefficiencies and difficulties in tracking and verifying the transactions.” She added that HKMA aims to formulate a digitalisation roadmap for sea, road and air transportation cargo data by the end of this year, integrating cargo data sources across jurisdictions with the HKMA’s CDI, to enhance data sharing. In the coming two years, the HKMA will also work with the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Transport and Logistics Bureau as well as pilot banks to leverage cargo data and CDI to improve digital trade finance.

Erik Kwok, Head of Technology and Operations at Air8 — which develops a supply chain finance platform for cross-border trade — echoed these concerns: “Many small to medium-sized exporters struggle to secure funding due to inadequate data for credit assessments, hindering their ability to compete globally. These obstacles are compounded by insufficient support for risk management strategies, leaving SMEs vulnerable in a rapidly evolving market.”

Another guest speaker, Candy Chan, Product Manager at IQAX, outlined how digitalising bills of lading can save both time and costs, boosting the efficiency of the entire trade ecosystem. She said many banks, freight forwarders, and customs systems still operate on fragmented digital platforms and lack interoperability. Blockchain, she argued, can bridge these silos: “Each trading partner has unique operational needs when adopting blockchain networks in digital platforms. In cross-border trade, trading and shipping documents are exchanged, and digitalised documents within a blockchain network can solve trust issues within and across networks, backed by MLETR.”

Photo download: http://bit.ly/4lNB4t9

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Johnny Tsui	Tel: (852) 2584 4395	Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.org
Winnie Kan	Tel: (852) 2584 4055	Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat	Tel: (852) 2584 4554	Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit:www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

Capital Markets Malaysia Expands Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide with a GHG Emission Calculator for SMEs

Capital Markets Malaysia (“CMM”), an affiliate of the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”), today launched the SEDG Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Emissions Calculator for Small and Medium Enterprise (“SMEs”). The user-friendly tool is designed to help Malaysian companies measure and report their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions based on the globally recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of the SC and Chairman of CMM said, “For many SMEs in Malaysia, particularly those operating in global supply chains, the ability to accurately measure and report their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is critical in responding to disclosure demands of their customers.

Photo 1: Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of the SC and Chairman of CMM

“The SEDG GHG Emissions Calculator simplifies a complex process, making emissions reporting accessible even to first-time users. Beyond reporting, it also enables companies to pinpoint key emission sources across operations, allowing them to make informed decisions and move towards meaningful climate action,” he said.

“The calculator further complements efforts by the SC to promote consistent and credible sustainability disclosures and supports the adoption of the National Sustainability Reporting Framework by Malaysian companies,” he added.

To ensure consistency and credibility, the SEDG GHG Emissions Calculator utilises a methodology which follows widely accepted international standards such as the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These standards are also used by the Malaysian government in the Biennial National Communications to the UNFCCC.

The Calculator comes with pre-filled emission factors from the IPCC’S 6th Annual Report (AR6) for fuel combustion commonly used in Malaysia such as diesel, petrol, LPG, natural gas, and others. Emission factors for grid electricity consumption come from local sources such as publications from Malaysia’s Energy Commission.

Navina Balasingam, General Manager of CMM said, “The SEDG has received widespread acceptance since its launch in October 2023. We’ve seen a strong response from Malaysian and multinational companies with large supply chains, utilising the SEDG to support ESG reporting by their SME suppliers.

Photo 2: Navina Balasingam, General Manager of CMM

“CMM will continue its nationwide workshops to help SMEs in supply chains disclose ESG data credibly and effectively. The Calculator is a key part of this effort, further simplifying the ‘Emissions’ disclosure requirements of the SEDG,” she said.

“In developing the tool, we carried out a series of user acceptance tests (UATs) to understand the needs and expectations of SMEs across diverse sectors within the supply chain. To ensure broad accessibility, the Calculator is available at no cost to users, in three languages – English, Bahasa Melayu and Simplified Mandarin,” she added.

As global sustainability standards, customer expectations, and ESG compliance requirements continue to evolve, it is essential that the SEDG remains relevant and practical for Malaysian businesses. In line with this, CMM also announced the release of SEDG Version 2, which includes three additional recommended disclosures designed to better align with the reporting needs of global customers.

For more information, visit https://sedg.capitalmarketsmalaysia.com/

About Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM)

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) set up CMM in 2014 to spearhead the local and international positioning as well as profiling of the Malaysian capital market. Funded by the Capital Markets Development Fund, CMM showcases the competitiveness and attractiveness of the various segments of the Malaysian capital market – to promote international participation and enhance opportunities for domestic capital market intermediaries. CMM works to support the advancement of these entities through various initiatives and partnerships, focusing on four key areas: sustainable finance and investing, the Islamic capital market, the digital market, and capital market funding opportunities through the private market.

For media queries, please contact:
Farina Farid
Head of Communications, Capital Markets Malaysia
E: FarinaF@seccom.com.my

IP Roundtable and International Publishing Forum held at Hong Kong Book Fair today

Strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a regional IP trading centre

The 35th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair opened yesterday alongside the 8th HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and the 5th HKTDC World of Snacks. The three events, which have attracted more than 770 exhibitors, are running until 22 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

To reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre, the HKTDC is hosting a series of onsite sales and cultural activities during the fairs. Notably, today’s IP Roundtable and International Publishing Forum provide a platform for industry professionals from 12 countries and regions to explore market trends and exchange insights. Both events are sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attracting an audience of over 220 publishing professionals and enthusiasts and further strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a regional IP trading centre.

Organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS), the IP Roundtable ran under the theme “A Forward-Looking Copyright Framework – How to Balance Interests Between Innovation and IP Protection”, focusing on how different regions are developing forward-looking copyright frameworks in response to the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). This year’s event introduced a new business matching session that facilitated over 70 meetings to promote copyright trading and generate commercial opportunities for participants. The event opened with welcome remarks from Jenny Koo, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, followed by opening remarks from Dr Sharon Wong, Executive Director, HKRRLS, who also moderated the discussion session.

The panel discussion featured five distinguished speakers from the UAE, Belgium, Singapore, Japan and the United Kingdom, including Majd Hassan Al Shehhi, Director of The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA); Sarah Tran, Head of Regional Policy and Public Affairs of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO); Andrew Fong, CEO of the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS); Toshimichi Ishijima, Secretary General of the Japan Academic Association for Copyright Clearance (JAC); and James Bennett, Head of Rightsholder Relations of The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA).

Majd Hassan Al Shehhi, Director of ERRA, said: “The Hong Kong Book Fair brings together publishers from different places. Unlike other international book fairs that focus on B2B [business-to-business], the Hong Kong Book Fair serves as a B2C [business-to-consumer] platform. I am very happy to participate in the IP Roundtable as it provides an invaluable platform for industry professionals to gain insights into the publishing and IP sectors and explore new business opportunities.” She added that Hong Kong’s robust IP protection system and world-class professional services make the city well positioned to act as a regional IP trading centre, viewing it as a great example.

The HKTDC joined with the Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited to organise the International Publishing Forum today, running under the theme “AI and Publishing”. The event opened with remarks by Anita Wan, Convenor of the Book Fair Committee of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited. Featured speakers included Xin Guangwei, former Editor-in-Chief of People’s Publishing House; Qu Hongbin, Director and President of Guomai Culture Media Co., Ltd; and Wayne Press, Global Product Director of Oxford University Press. The Q&A session that followed, moderated by Chan Ka-yeung, Director of City University of Hong Kong Press, was lively and in-depth, exploring how the publishing industry can respond to the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.

Photo download: http://bit.ly/3TKAZKI

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Media enquiries
Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu Tel: (852) 3428 5690 Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Salina Cheng Tel: (852) 3428 2362 Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272 Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, World of Snacks
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Stanley So Tel: (852)2584 4049 Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.org
Jane Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4137 Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

Hong Kong Book Fair, Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks open today

– Three special offers invite residents and tourists to enjoy city’s cultural and leisure showcase

– A Hong Kong spotlight event in July and a feature of Hong Kong Summer Viva, the Hong Kong Book Fair opened today alongside the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks. More than 770 exhibitors are participating in the three events
– With “Food Culture-Future Living” as the theme of the year, the Book Fair celebrates its 35th edition in 2025. To mark the occasion, three special offers have been introduced, including free entry for visitors born in 1990 to allow them to celebrate this milestone together
– The Book Fair continues to feature the Eight Seminar Series, including a session where the assistant and close friends of the late Hong Kong food critic and writer Chua Lam will share anecdotes about his life
– To echo the theme of the year, the World of Art & Culture presents “Book a Table ï½¥ Food for Thought”, an immersive exhibition where eight local and overseas artists collaborate with various consulates general in Hong Kong to explore global food culture through art
– The FIBA 3×3 World Tour Hong Kong 2025 is held concurrently with the Sports and Leisure Expo on 19-20 July, while visitors can enjoy more than 1,300 treats at the World of Snacks

The 35th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, 8th HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and 5th HKTDC World of Snacks opened today, running concurrently at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for seven days (16 to 22 July). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three events offer a one-stop experience encompassing literature, shopping, leisure and sports for residents and tourists alike. Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), gave a speech and proposed a toast at today’s opening reception, accompanied by Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC.

The Hong Kong Book Fair marks Professor Ma’s first major HKTDC event since he assumed Chairmanship. “Since its inception in 1990, the Hong Kong Book Fair has, with the unwavering support of the industry and the public, evolved into one of Asia’s premier cultural events,” Prof Ma said. “It fosters a passion for reading and serves as a vital platform for cultural exchange between East and West,” he added. He further noted that this year’s Book Fair, held in conjunction with the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks, has garnered an enthusiastic response. Featuring over 770 exhibitors, the events collectively offer a vibrant, family-friendly summer experience that seamlessly blends literature, sports, lifestyle and gastronomy.

Three special offers celebrate Book Fair’s 35th edition
To mark its 35th edition, the Book Fair has launched three special promotions. Visitors born in 1990, the year the Book Fair was first held, can enjoy free entry by presenting valid identification, while a limited-edition 35th-edition special package will be available, allowing five visitors to enter for the price of three tickets. In addition, visitors spending more than HK$500 at the Book Fair will have the opportunity to receive a limited-edition commemorative tote bag and a special gift.

As a Hong Kong spotlight event and a feature of the Hong Kong Summer Viva promotion in July, this year’s Book Fair has “Food Cultureï½¥Future Living” as its theme of the year. The event features more than 620 cultural activities, both inside and outside the venue, inviting prominent authors from the culinary literature realm to explore themes of cultural identity, lifestyle philosophy and food innovation through writing.

Seminar Series gathers writers from around the world to foster cultural exchange
The Book Fair continues to feature the Eight Seminar Series, covering a diverse range of topics, including Personal Development and Spiritual Growth, World of Knowledge, Theme of the Year, English and International Reading, Children and Youth Reading, Hong Kong Cultural and Historical, Lifestyle, and Renowned Writers, co-organised with Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan.

The Personal Development and Spiritual Growth series features a seminar celebrating the memory of renowned Hong Kong food critic and writer Chua Lam, with his assistant Yeung Ngo and close friend, well-known stylist Tina Liu, sharing stories about his life. Other distinguished speakers include former HKTDC Chairman Jack So, who will share his new book with the Chinese title As part of the World of Knowledge seminar series, Ronnie C. Chan, Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Properties and Chairman of the China Heritage Fund, will share the journey of restoring the Jianfu Palace Garden in the Forbidden City, drawing insights from the newly published book in Traditional Chinese, The Palace of Established Happiness: Restoring a Garden in the Forbidden City.

Highlights of the Theme of the Year seminars include renowned director and dietary therapy expert Yim Ho discussing anti-cancer nutrition (18 July); American commercial spaceship pilot Sian “Leo” Proctor on “Nourishing the Future – in Space and on Earth” (19 July); and a conversation between Andrew Chui, the fifth-generation heir of Tai Ping Koon Restaurant, and food reviewer and author Benny Li (20 July).

The English and International Reading series features Akutagawa Prize winner Rie Kudan from Japan. With 5% of her book Tokyo Sympathy Tower generated by ChatGPT, she will discuss writing in the age of artificial intelligence (17 July). Emerging Korean novelist Cheon Seon-ran will share her creative journey (18 July); and 16-year-old Vietnamese English-language author Nguyen Hanh Phuong (aka Rosy Black) will share her story of writing during her school years, with parents invited to bring their children to participate (20 July). For more details on the seminars and the speaker lineup, visit https://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/Events/Event-Schedule.html.

Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the HKSAR, the World of Art & Culture echoes the theme of the year by holding the exhibition titled “Book a Table ï½¥ Food for Thought”, a collaboration between eight local and overseas artists and the consulates general of various countries in Hong Kong that uses food as a bridge to connect cultures and offers visitors a chance to explore the world through the dining table. The exhibition presents eight themed tables guiding visitors through stories of life and culture told through the dining table and covering topics such as food and healthy living, surplus and future, table etiquette, lifestyle and culture, process, experience, music and art. Additionally, interactive installations on site recommend curated books and exhibits to visitors.

New zones break cultural boundaries
Two new zones are introduced at the Book Fair this year. The Cultural and Creative Products Zone showcases cultural and creative products from the museums of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department along with interactive experiences related to Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage. The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao also joins the zone with its signature “Craft Market” while Hong Kong exhibitor Tsi Ku Chai showcases creative pieces inspired by the Palace Museum in Beijing. The Hong Kong Tech Showcase area, meanwhile, presents innovative technology products in various fields including edtech, healthtech, sportstech, foodtech and more.

Sports and Leisure Expo encourages wider participation as National Games arrive
This year sees the staging of the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, with several events taking place in Hong Kong. In response to the National Games and to promote wider sports participation, the Sports and Leisure Expo has set up an exhibition area where participants can take photos with games mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong. They can also learn more about the competitive events hosted in Hong Kong as well as the mass participation events, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the games. The Hong Kong Sports Institute (Booth: 5C-B02) has set up a “Giant Cheering Net” where people can leave encouraging messages for all Hong Kong athletes, including those competing in the National Games. In addition, cyclist Leung Ka-yu, who has represented Hong Kong in the Asian Games and National Games, and freestyle rope skipper Ho Chu-ting, who was crowned men’s champion at the World Rope Skipping Championships, will share their journeys and experiences during the Star Athlete Sharing Session.

In collaboration with organiser M1 Group Limited, the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Hong Kong 2025 basketball tournament will be hosted indoors at the HKCEC for the first time. Matches will take place on Saturday and Sunday (19-20 July) in Hall 5E, featuring 16 of the world’s top teams, including four elite squads competing for the championship. Visitors can not only enjoy access to the Hong Kong Book Fair, Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks with a single ticket, but they can also visit the 3×3 Village to experience the atmosphere of a world-class event. Additionally, they can engage in various sports games and explore the Sports Industry Showcase Area. This initiative aims to create a multifaceted experience that promotes cultural, sports and tourism development while providing a one-stop shopping, leisure and sports experience for locals and tourists alike.

The Hong Kong Playground Association (Booth: 5C-D02 & 5C-E02) is once again participating at the Sports and Leisure Expo, introducing a new sports experience area that offers participants the chance to engage in both traditional and emerging sports. Activities will include pickleball, freestyle rope skipping and running on 16-17 July; street fitness on 18-19 July; HADO AR dodgeball on 20-21 July; and drone soccer on 22 July. The latter is one of the mass participation events at the National Games. This year’s Sports and Leisure Expo also features a brand-new Travel Zone, showcasing the ever-popular Japan Pavilion, co-organised by the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong and 17 participating Japanese prefectures and cities. The zone also includes pavilions from Taiwan and Thailand as well as a variety of uniquely Hong Kong attractions.

World of Snacks features international delicacies and more!
The World of Snacks is divided into six zones – Travel Delights, Chocolate and Sweet Factory, Oldie Snacks, Yummy & Healthy, Party Time and Snack Bar – and brings together over 1,300 creative and international snacks that offer everything from nostalgic flavours to festive party treats to satisfy every craving. A highlight this year is Heartwarming (Booth: 5B-A21), whose stone-ground black sesame products were endorsed with the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand 2025. Signature offerings include black sesame ice cream, black sesame paste and sesame balls. Meanwhile, Krisca, in collaboration with Kwan Hong Bakery and LY Bakery, has launched a new range of pistachio snacks (Booth: 5B-A11). World of Snacks is also hosting a series of snack-related activities for visitors, including a Junior Mixologist Workshop (non-alcoholic version), to cater to the diverse interests of visitors.

This year’s Hong Kong Book Fair again offers a morning admission tickets promotion. Visitors entering before noon can enjoy a discounted ticket price of HK$10. In addition, the special re-entry promotion allows eligible ticket holders to re-enter the venue during two designated time slots. All ticketing can be found below.

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272 Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Survey points to further tariff drag in H2

– Front-loading supports current performance; expectations soften but remain positive

Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) jointly released the latest Standard Chartered Greater Bay Area Business Sentiment Index (GBAI), which showed resilient current business performance after the so-called US ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs shock, supported by front-loading of orders and production. Meanwhile, businesses were cautious on the outlook as expectations softened but remained positive.

The “current performance” index for business activities eased marginally to 53.1 in Q2 from 53.5 in Q1. A breakdown of index components supports the front-loading narrative; “Production/sales” was the strongest performer among the eight main sub-indices, in terms of both absolute score (57.1, the highest in a year) and change (+4.2 pts). Other positive drivers include “Fixed asset investment” (+2.0pts), “Profits” (+1.1pts) and “Raw material inventory” (+0.1pts).

Meanwhile, the “expectations” index for business activity fell to 52.0 in Q2 from 54.3 in Q1. This is the weakest level since Q4-2022, but the fact that expectations stayed above the 50 neutral mark provides some relief. There is a broad-based deterioration across sub-components as seven of the eight expectations sub-indices fell, and the exception was “Capacity utilisation”. “Financing scale” (-5.1pts), “Finished goods/services price” (-4.8pts) and “Production/sales” (-2.6pts) saw the biggest declines in the quarter.

By sector, “Innovation and technology” outperformed (+6.3pts for “current performance” and +5.5pts for “expectations”), while “Manufacturing and trading” showed short-term resilience (-0.4pts and -2.1pts) as rush orders ahead of US tariff implementation have kept manufacturers busy. ‘Retail and wholesale’ disappointed (-1.0pts and -4.1pts), despite the perceived effectiveness of China’s consumer goods trade-in program.

Across GBA cities, there was setback for Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Hong Kong saw the biggest drops among GBA cities (-9.8pts for “current performance” and -10.5pts for “expectations”) in the quarter. This partly reflects its vulnerability to the external environment and domestic consumption struggles. Guangzhou fell 9.3pts for “current performance” and 6.3pts for “expectations”.

Kelvin Lau, Senior Economist, Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered, said:
“The looming tariff uncertainty has driven the front-loading of orders and production in the second quarter, while also accelerating AI development. Looking ahead, the findings revealed a more cautious view of GBA businesses amid the uncertain business outlook in the second half, especially regarding the outcome of bilateral trade deals after the 90-day pauses. Additionally, Hong Kong’s economy saw steady expansion in the first quarter. Given the significant proportion of external economic activities relative to its GDP, international trade and tariff policies are crucial for Hong Kong.”

For thematic questions, only some 10% of respondents saw a material direct impact from US tariff hikes. Notably, tariff pauses and exemptions provided relief on the impact, this underscores the importance of maintaining the recent US-China trade truce and quickly finalising other bilateral trade deals in Q3.

In terms of the impact of doing business, 41% of the respondents said US tariff hikes would delay the implementation of their business plans. Other major impacts include “difficult to navigate high level of logistical/customs disruption/uncertainty” (35%) and “losing business to other markets with lower tariff impact” (30%). Meanwhile, 32% of the respondents would sell more into the domestic market as the most common way to address the US tariff shocks and associated uncertainties.

Irina Fan, Director of Research, HKTDC, said: “The findings showed that GBA companies are relatively resilient to US tariffs, although our survey was conducted shortly after the US ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs against its trade partners in April and did not capture all of the more recent developments since. Some 75-80% of the GBA companies see negative impacts by US tariffs, mostly due to delay in business plan implementation and logistics disruptions.”

“In response to this new era of US trade policy, GBA companies seek to increase domestic sales and expanding to key markets in the region, in particular ASEAN, reflecting the mainland and HKSAR Governments’ efforts in promoting closer economic ties with these countries and regions.”

About the GBAI
The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.

Related materials
HKTDC Research: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MjA1NzIwMTI0MQ

Report and photos download: https://bit.ly/4lOjJQF

Media enquiries

Yuan Tung Financial Relations Limited
Tiffany Leung	Tel: (852) 3428 2361	Email: tleung@yuantung.com.hk

Communications & Public Affairs Department of the HKTDC
Katy Wong	Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Corporate Affairs Department of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Flora Chiu	Tel: (852) 3843 2285	Email: flora.chiu@sc.com

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

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UOB Hong Kong becomes first Singapore-based bank to sign MOU with HKTDC

– strengthening GBA-ASEAN connectivity

UOB Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the ASEAN Conference 2025 in Singapore, marking a significant milestone in regional collaboration between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and ASEAN. This strategic agreement positions UOB Hong Kong as the first Singapore-based bank to formalise a partnership with HKTDC, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing sustainable economic development and deepening regional integration.

The MOU was announced by Adaline Zheng, CEO of UOB Hong Kong, and Vivienne Chee, Director of Singapore, HKTDC, witnessed by Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore, Teo Siong Seng, Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation, Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, and Kwan Ho Leung, Regional Director – Designate, South East Asia and South Asia, HKTDC.

The agreement outlines a robust framework for cooperation, aimed at strengthening regional ties and promoting sustainable growth. Through strategic initiatives, the partnership will enhance connectivity, promote trade, and foster integrated development of markets across the GBA, including Hong Kong, and ASEAN.

The MOU also aims to create job opportunities and empower communities across both regions by supporting enterprise development and deepening regional collaboration. Companies can leverage UOB’s extensive regional network and financial expertise, alongside HKTDC’s strengths in trade promotion, to access new markets, resources and professional knowledge.

Vivienne Chee, Director of Singapore, HKTDC, said: “We are delighted to partner with UOB Hong Kong to strengthen GBA-ASEAN collaboration. This MOU reflects our shared vision to foster sustainable economic growth through deeper trade and investment ties. By leveraging our respective strengths, we will enable businesses to seize arising opportunities and navigate the evolving global landscape with confidence.”

Adaline Zheng, CEO of UOB Hong Kong, said, “This partnership with HKTDC underscores our strong commitment to driving regional growth and connectivity. By leveraging our extensive ASEAN network, professional financial expertise and well-established foreign direct investment (FDI) advisory capabilities alongside HKTDC’s strengths in trade promotion, we aim to unlock new opportunities for businesses and deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that fuel trade and development. Together, we empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic economic landscape.”

The partnership focuses on initiatives that drive cross-border collaboration, facilitate trade flows and foster cultural and business exchange through joint programmes and knowledge-sharing platforms. By matching local value chains with incoming FDI, the partnership creates new avenues for local enterprises and promotes inclusive growth. Enhanced financial connectivity and investment support strengthen the region’s economic resilience, while capacity-building efforts equip businesses to sharpen their competitiveness and succeed in the regional landscape.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/44vn4ga

Media enquiries

UOB Hong Kong:

Susanna Liu	Tel: (852) 2123 7537	Email: susanna.liuwy@uobgroup.com
Sarah Tsang	Tel: (852) 2123 7536	Email: sarah.tsangsw@uobgroup.com

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong	Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw	Tel: (852) 2584 4472	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About UOB
UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of more than 470 branches and offices in 19 markets in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to helping businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

Viva Technology 2025: Hong Kong Tech Pavilion Empowers Startups to Expand into European Market

– Impressive Results Showcase Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Strength

Viva Technology 2025 concluded successfully last Saturday with the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, effectively supporting local start-ups in entering the European market.
A series of events, including seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception and business matching, provided a robust platform for start-ups to demonstrate Hong Kong’s innovation and technology capabilities.
The participating start-ups achieved successful outcomes, including Point Fit Technology, a Hong Kong healthtech start-up, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Kinomap, a French indoor training platform.

Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2025 in Paris, Europe’s biggest start-up and tech event, concluded last Saturday. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with Strategic Partner, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, and Supporting Organisations including Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong Cyberport, set up the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion. The Pavilion promoted 20 Hong Kong start-ups to investors and buyers, and hosted seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception, inviting representatives from various enterprises and organisations to analyse trends in Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem. Business matching meetings were also arranged to help start-ups explore opportunities in the European market.

Hong Kong tech ventures were the recipients of VivaTech awards including Ailytics Limited, which developed AI-Powered Video Surveillance Systems (AI-VSS) for operations, was awarded among the Top 30 of VivaTech Innovations of the Year Award and was also selected as one of the Top 5 winners of the Startup Challenge organised by Électricité de France (EDF). Imsight Technology, OKOsix, and Vismed Training were nominated as finalists in the VivaTech Tech for Change Award, recognising their positive impact respectively in cancer diagnostics, biomaterial composition, and medical training and care. Braillic Limited, specialising in Augmented Reality (AR) guided surgical navigation systems, was nominated in the Top 12 AI Tech Trail. AQUMON and Midas Analytics, which developed AI-driven wealth management and data analysis solutions, were nominated as the Top 12 FinTech Trail.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion also achieved notable success. Point Fit Technology, a healthtech start-up signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kinomap, a French indoor training platform. Point Fit’s sweat sensor continuously monitors muscle fatigue without invasive blood tests, will integrate their sweat biomarker data into Kinomap’s platform. This will enhance indoor training experiences and expand Point Fit’s sales channels through Kinomap’s global partner network. During VivaTech, Point Fit Technology’s research attracted international interest. Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder & CEO of Point Fit Technology Limited, said: “Apart from signing an MoU with Kinomap, we also linked up with a top European football club, and secured key partners that will help us to further penetrate the European market.”

Founded in Singapore with an international office in Hong Kong, Ailytics’ AI-VSS products are used to enhance safety and maximise productivity by leveraging existing cameras. The company is in discussion with EDF and will conduct a trial run at EDF’s new power plants in France. Wei Zhuang Tan, CEO, Ailytics said: “We received enormous resources and support in Hong Kong, especially from HKTDC and HKSTP to expand into the international market. Through joining the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech, we have met customers and partners and have a deeper understanding about the requirements of French companies.”

Midas Analytics, which introduced its newly launched Asia Market Intelligence platform and AI Agent at VivaTech, drew strong interest from investors, analysts, and strategic partners. Founder Michele De Flippo said: “We have connected with a high-caliber audience that included institutional investors, corporate venture leaders, innovation executives from major banks and consulting firms, and decision-makers from government ecosystems. Through curated business matching sessions organised by the HKTDC and meeting with high-calibre audience, we identified multiple potential partners and expansion opportunities. The interest reinforced both the commercial potential of Midas Analytics and the clear demand in Europe for better visibility into fast-changing Asian markets.”

Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, attended the workshop and networking reception themed under “From Hong Kong to the World: Embarking on the New Journey of Innovation” last Friday. Highlighting that Hong Kong being an ideal gateway for global enterprises to enter the Mainland market, Professor Sun said the HKSAR Government has been actively attracting overseas and the Mainland I&T enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong. Companies choosing HK for the international headquarters exemplify Hong Kong’s important role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” between Mainland China and the rest of the world, serving as a two-way springboard for attracting overseas enterprises and helping Mainland enterprises to “go global”.

The subsequent discussions explored the strengths of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem, and how to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to seize new opportunities. Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, together viAct, Sandbox VR, and Orcauboat founders, shared their success stories leveraging Hong Kong as the platform for global expansion. Chapman Lee, Director of Imsight Technology Co., Limited, highlighted the strengths of Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities and access to international investment.

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 by Startup Genome, a research institute, during VivaTech 2025, Hong Kong entered the Top 40 ranking for the first time. The ecosystem jumped 20 positions to 27th in the 2025 ranking.

The HKTDC continues to lead Hong Kong businesses in participating in major international tech exhibitions, helping local start-ups expand overseas and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation and technology hub. Following the Consumer Electronic Show 2025 in Las Vegas and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year, HKTDC once again organised the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech in Paris, providing an effective platform for start-ups to showcase innovations, attract investment, and explore the European market.

The 9th edition of VivaTech attracted more than 14,000 start-ups, 180,000 visitors, and 3,600 investors from 171 countries and regions. Industry leaders from around the world shared unique insights, further making the event a key highlight of the global tech ecosystem.

Websites: https://vivatechnology.com/partners/hong-kong-tech-pavilion

Media enquiries

For enquiries, please contact HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong

Tel: (852) 2584 4524

Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

10 winners selected at 8th edition of Start-up Express

– Multiple winners incorporated AI, highlighting the innovation within Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem

– On the Final Pitching Day of Start-up Express, 10 winners were selected, with xxx and AniTech Limited receiving the ESG Award and the My Favourite Start-up Award respectively
– More than 200 industry players attended, helping start-ups to establish connections and increase exposure, and continue to promote Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
– Majority of the 10 winners are health tech start-ups, while others represented sectors such as green tech, smart city and AI Solutions

10 start-ups were selected as winners at the eighth edition of Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) which came to a successful conclusion. The ESG Award was presented to Green Vigor Limited in recognition of the best sustainable and socially impactful business solution, and AniTech Limited won the My Favourite Start-up Award as determined through audience live polling. The 10 start-ups will participate in a series of local and overseas business events organised by HKTDC to develop their profiles through building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.

HKTDC is fully committed to supporting and promoting the development of start-ups, helping them to expand into Mainland and international markets to showcase Hong Kong’s strengths in innovation and technology.

Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC said: “Start-up Express serves as the launchpad for Hong Kong’s brightest tech innovators. As HKTDC’s flagship start-up development programme, our mission is to help local tech start-ups build capability and connections, explore new markets, seek business and funding partners, and enhance their brand awareness. I am proud to share that we have already assisted 70 Hong Kong start-ups to scale-up in Hong Kong and expand into overseas markets since we first held Start-up Express in 2018. Many of these start-ups have achieved remarkable success, earning global awards, securing significant investments, and forming key business partnerships. This demonstrates how the HKTDC platform helps bring Hong Kong start-ups into the limelight and accelerate their success.”

This year’s Start-up Express attracted more than 200 applications. The majority of the 10 winners are health tech start-ups while the rest represent green tech, smart city and AI solutions. Booths were also set up during the event enabling the Start-up Express finalists to showcase their businesses to all attendees and participants.

Comprehensive range of networking and matching initiatives provided to winning start-ups
The 10 winners were chosen from 20 contestants during the final pitching round with each presenting their innovative business ideas and answering questions raised by the distinguished judging panel. The 10 winning start-ups are: ACTuWISE Limited, Decennium Platforms Limited, AniTech Limited, Digitoe Limited, CELLmeric Limited, RT Healthtech Co. Limited, Firefilm Group Limited, Albacastor Technology Limited, Entoptica Limited and Green Vigor Limited.

Click here to download the list of winners and their company profiles.

The HKTDC will arrange a series of exposure opportunities for the winning teams to interact with potential investors, buyers and partners.

Judges praised the winners for their performance and awareness of market trends
One of the judges, Herbert Chia, Senior Advisor of Alibaba Cloud (North APAC Region), said: “We are always surprised by the new start-ups in each year’s awards. In the face of rapid AI development, many local start-ups have quickly incorporated AI into their business operations, showing that they are innovative, capable and also closely following the market trend.”

Another judge, Jimmy Tao, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council, said: “The quality of this year’s competition is high, with products and services covering different technologies, especially artificial intelligence, green tech and medical innovation. We are pleased to see the new generation of start-ups continue to break new grounds in innovation and technology, demonstrating their unlimited potential and creativity, thereby contributing to society’s advancement. Hong Kong’s start-up scene continues to grow vigorously, with a record number of 4,694 start-ups last year, demonstrating Hong Kong’s promising outlook and increasing attractiveness to do business and as an ideal to set up a start-up. We believe that this year’s winning start-ups will gain valuable opportunities to expand their markets and build networks through Start-up Express.”

Start-up Express helps start-ups secure investment and partnership opportunitiesStart-up Express provides extensive promotional opportunities for start-ups with winners able to take part in exhibitions in Mainland China and internationally, attend meetings with investors to learn more about the industry, market trends and investors’ preference.

Libpet Tech, a Start-up Express winner in 2024, has recently completed a US$3 million seed funding, and the investment will be utilized for technology upgrades and international market expansion. Jojo Xu, CEO of Libpet Tech, said: “Participating in Start-up Express has given us more exposure and enhanced our brand awareness, as seen from the increased attention from potential customers and investors. We are grateful for the investors’ confidence in our company. We will join hands with our public and private partners to integrate robotics into daily life and promote human-centric smart mobility.”

The 4th Start-up Express International returns in December with global start-ups
The HKTDC has always given its full support to Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping to maintain the city’s status as a competitive business centre and hub for innovation. Start-up Express International was launched in 2022 for overseas early-stage start-ups to share the stage with local Start-up Express winners. The past three editions have attracted participants from around the world, including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United States. The 4th Start-up Express International will return during Entrepreneur Day in December and the HKTDC will support the winners in setting up their businesses in Hong Kong and to explore the mainland and Greater Bay Area markets.

Start-up Express: https://portal.hktdc.com/start-upexpress/

Photo download: http://bit.ly/4jPwedc

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Stanley So Tel: (852) 2584 4049           Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.org
Katy Wong Tel: (852) 2584 4524           Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272           Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw Tel: (852) 2584 4472           Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

HKTDC Design Gallery x STICKYLINE present: “Love HK” Exhibition

– Reviving the charm of old Hong Kong by bringing traditional dragon and phoenix grand hall to life

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Design Gallery continues to champion original Hong Kong designs. The annual “Love HK” exhibition returns from 11 June to 6 July, in partnership with STICKYLINE, a prominent creative team in Hong Kong, and will debut their latest artwork, “The Carved Duo”, at the Design Gallery Wan Chai shop, featuring large-scale artistic paper sculptures that capture the essence of a traditional dragon and phoenix grand hall.

Carved dragon and phoenix statues were iconic decorations in Hong Kong’s banquet halls during the 1970s. STICKYLINE reimagines these symbols through contemporary geometric paper sculptures, incorporating pixel-like grid patterns into the Design Gallery’s window. This artwork retains the auspicious meanings of the dragon and phoenix while refining their forms, exploring how cultural heritage can evolve within modern contexts.

STICKYLINE’s co-founder Mic Leong said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the HKTDC Design Gallery on the ‘Love HK’ exhibition. In line with the theme, we have created paper sculptures inspired by the traditional dragon and phoenix grand halls found in old restaurants which were used to symbolise the city’s economic boom and opulence. Although modern restaurants have phased out such designs, these motifs are resurfacing in unexpected ways, such as tattoo art, wedding backdrops, and avant-garde photography, reflecting younger generations’ reinterpretation of tradition. Through this piece, we aim to revive the collective memories of old-school restaurants and showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm.”

In addition to the dragon and phoenix installation, the main entrance of the Design Gallery features a playful paper sculpture of the word “HEY”. Soilworm Lai, Co-Founder, STICKYLINE, explained, “‘HEY’ is a phonetic nod to the word ‘ (double happiness)’. We aspire to merge modern elements with the traditional dragon and phoenix theme, offering a friendly greeting to visitors.”

Curated selection of Hong Kong-themed products
During the exhibition, the Design Gallery will feature a curated selection of Hong Kong-themed products, including AMAZING STUDIO Neon Light Hong Kong Metal Badge Pin, CAMEL Modern Hong Kong Culture Glass Vacuum Flask, IRON WORKSHOP Hong Kong Silk Scarf Map, and PLAYFUL SOCKS Dragon Phoenix Happiness Socks.

Share on social media for shopping discount
Visitors can enjoy an additional 10% discount on purchases during the exhibition by taking photos of the exhibits and sharing these on social media, tagging @HKTDC Design Gallery.

Website
HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Serena Cheung
Agnes Wat

Tel: (852) 2584 4272
Tel: (852) 2584 4554

Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

About STICKYLINE
STICKYLINE, founded in Hong Kong in 2011 by creative designers Mic Leong and Soilworm Lai, creates unique, large-scale polyhedral sculptures that showcase the complexity of creative engineering, mathematics and geometric structures. They transform two-dimensional planes into three-dimensional forms through a process of deconstruction and reconstruction. They have collaborated with international brands including Hermès, Ralph Lauren, and Mercedes-Benz.

Discover more at: https://www.stickyline.hk

About HKTDC Design Gallery
Established in 1991, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Design Gallery (DG) promotes Hong Kong’s creativity innovation in design. With two physical outlets in Hong Kong and Taobao and JD International online stores, DG helps Hong Kong brands connect and collaborate with buyers to grow and expand in Mainland China and beyond. The DG online shop also provides suppliers with local online sales channels. DG’s entry into the ASEAN market enables Hong Kong brands to connect with overseas consumers and buyers.

Discover more at: https://hkdesigngallery.hktdc.com/

New HKTDC Chairman Frederick Ma keen to promote Hong Kong as best partner for global enterprises

– Advance connectivity, build multinational supply chain management centre and drive innovation

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)’s new Chairman Prof Frederick Ma met with media today, outlining the HKTDC’s strategic direction to help Hong Kong enterprises navigate global challenges and seize new opportunities.

Prof Ma said: “The international trade landscape is turbulent, and enterprises urgently need to reassess their development strategies. As both a springboard for the country and an international hub, Hong Kong possesses the unique advantages of internal and external connectivity and is poised to play a pivotal role in the new trade landscape.”

He pointed out that HKTDC will help Hong Kong businesses connect globally and turn challenges into opportunities. Through three strategic directions —1) reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder to highlight its international status and deepen ties with global markets, 2) building a multinational supply chain management centre, and 3) promote trade digitalisation to position Hong Kong as the best partner for global enterprises, helping SMEs to stand out in an ever-changing world.

The HKTDC will leverage its network of 51 offices globally and 49 Hong Kong business associations to support enterprises in exploring new markets and enhancing competitiveness. Prof Ma said: “Hong Kong has always been a city of opportunities. The HKTDC will stand side by side with Hong Kong businesses, seizing opportunities in an ever-changing world, integrating Hong Kong into national development and telling the good stories of Hong Kong and Mainland China.”

Five directions to forge a new chapter for Hong Kong
1.Advancing our strengths in internal and external connectivity and leveraging our global network, enhancing overseas visits and flagship promotions: Reviewing the HKTDC’s global network of 51 offices to reinforce our work in key markets and enhance Hong Kong’s international competitiveness. The HKTDC will continue organising more trade missions to tell the good stories of Hong Kong and Mainland China. A prime example is our flagship campaign Think Business, Think Hong Kong, which will be held in Milan, Italy in November.
2.Optimising existing flagship events: By incorporating industry collaboration elements into the annual Asian Financial Forum (AFF), we will transform it into AFF Plus to facilitate connections between finance and the real economy, driving innovation, regional integration and sustainable development. For trade fairs, we will strengthen content related to global trends, including elements of robotics and higher education. Additionally, we will host new events targeting key markets, like the Middle East, inviting mainland enterprises to participate, to promote trade and investment cooperation between Hong Kong and countries in the Middle East region.
3.Building an international supply chain management centre: In response to the trend of mainland industrial chains extending overseas, the HKTDC will actively position Hong Kong as a supply chain command centre to support mainland firms in going global.
4.Driving the innovation engine and promoting trade digitalisation: The HKTDC will enhance existing support services, focusing on core elements of trade digitalisation to help SMEs leverage technologies – such as IOT, AI, blockchain and big data – to boost efficiency. In the long term, the HKTDC aims to position Hong Kong as a value chain centre, utilising technology, data analytics and collaborative networks to refine value chains for global enterprises, creating added value and addressing market changes and uncertainties.
5.Explore long term demand for the convention and exhibition industry: The HKTDC will support the Hong Kong SAR Government in reviewing the needs of the convention and exhibition sector in the long term.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/440xPHs

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Serena Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4272	Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng	Tel: (852) 2584 4357	Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat	Tel: (852) 2584 4554	Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org