The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) marked its 60th anniversary by announcing two major initiatives: an optimization of its corporate structure and a reconfiguration of its global resources to tap into emerging markets. Chairman Professor Frederick Ma unveiled the plans, which aim to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and help Hong Kong companies capture opportunities in high-growth regions such as Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The first initiative involves reorganizing the HKTDC's functions around 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. According to Executive Director Sophia Chong, this cluster approach will improve operational efficiency and sector knowledge, enabling the council to provide more comprehensive and integrated solutions. Companies can now access one-stop support through a single point of contact for market intelligence, exhibitions, conferences, overseas missions, investor matching, and expansion into new markets.
The second initiative focuses on optimizing resources to tap new markets. The HKTDC, which operates 51 offices worldwide, plans to strengthen its presence in high-growth regions. Specifically, it will enhance resources at its consultant office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to bolster support in Central Asia; strengthen its office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the Middle East; and open a new consultant office in Cairo, Egypt, to expand its footprint in Africa. Additionally, the council will reinforce capabilities in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile, to capture opportunities in the Global South, and step up promotional work in ASEAN countries including Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Efforts will also be enhanced in Istanbul and Warsaw. In traditional markets, the HKTDC will maintain two-way trade with North America and expand the responsibilities of its London office to cover Nordic markets.
Professor Ma highlighted the importance of these optimizations in responding to geopolitical shifts, supply chain reconfigurations, and technological advancements. He noted that the initiatives align with Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and contribute to the country's development. The HKTDC aims to leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a superconnector and super value-adder, supporting mainland enterprises in going global while encouraging international companies to use Hong Kong as a base for expansion. Presentation and photo downloads are available at https://bit.ly/3ThqfX8 and https://bit.ly/4wUoMEA. More information on the 60th anniversary activities can be found at https://60.hktdc.com/en.
