 | | It was a pleasure to welcome Haruyuki Yada, Director-General, Planning Department, JETRO Headquarters along with his colleagues, to the Chamber on July 7. They were greeted by Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung, General Committee member Edmond Yue, and Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, who shared views on current investment landscape and business environment for foreign companies in Hong Kong.
The visitors were eager to get an in-depth analysis of the Hong Kong economy, along with the GBA, given the imposition of tariffs and other protective measures by the U.S. and how it is affecting business sentiment. Hong Kong has been diversifying its markets by expanding into emerging markets. Finance and professional business services are relatively unaffected by protectionism and continue to grow.
U.S. companies continue to maintain a strong presence in Hong Kong, with the number of their offices increasing steadily since 2022 to rank third -- behind only those from mainland China and Japan. Alam emphasized Hong Kong’s pivotal role within the Greater Bay Area, where businesses can benefit from streamlined processes, access to top-tier talent, favourable regulations, and an advantageous tax system. Additionally, the implementation of CEPA 2.0 in March 2025 provides foreign companies in Hong Kong with further opportunities to access preferential policies and expand into the mainland Chinese market.
| | 2025/07/07 |
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 | | It was a pleasure to welcome so many distinguished Consuls General of the Asian, African, and Middle Eastern regions at our latest cocktail reception at Hong Kong Club on 19 June.
Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan, BBS highlighted in her speech that the evening was more than just a gathering – it was a celebration of partnerships, opportunities, and shared aspirations.
Right now, the world’s fastest-growing economies are in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, she told the full-house. “These regions aren’t just rising -- they’re redefining global trade, innovation, and investment. And with the incredible network in this room -- our visionary Consuls General, dynamic business leaders, and pioneering members -- we’re not just watching this growth; we’re shaping it together,” she said.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us in fostering these meaningful connections. Here’s to stronger collaboration and a brighter future!
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| | 2025/06/19 |
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 | | Robert Lee, ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in China, called on the Chamber on 6 June. He was accompanied by Jenny Seeto, Chairman, Kamal Chetty, Chief Executive Officer, Investment Fiji, and the delegation from the Embassy. They were welcomed by Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan, Vice Chairman Pang Chun Yu, CEO Patrick Yeung, and leaders and members from the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee.
Lee introduced Fiji's current direction, focusing on poverty eradication through developing culture, handicraft, and culinary industries to attract tourism. He acknowledged the need to optimize bilateral relations with China, learning from the country's successful path and seeking economic opportunities. Additionally, he suggested that Fiji could tap into China's capital markets through Shanghai and Hong Kong, recruiting talent, investment, and infrastructure projects.
As a previous British colony with Western cultural influences, Lee acknowledged the general bias among Fijians towards China. However, he noted the cultural affinity between Hong Kong and Fiji, built on the success of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, and suggested that Hong Kong could serve as a gateway to deepen Fijians' understanding of China and provide access to China under the advantage of One Country, Two Systems. Chan agreed and highlighted the ease of doing business in Hong Kong's unique position as a common law jurisdiction, providing integral connections to the Greater Bay Area ecosystem, acting as both a super-connector and value-adder.
| | 2025/06/06 |
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 | | It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Willy Kipkorir Bett, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to China, along with his delegation, to the Chamber on June 2. They were greeted by HKGCC CEO Patrick Yeung, Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, and SME Committee Vice Chairman Simon Hui. The parties exchanged views on Kenya’s investment opportunities and Hong Kong’s dynamic business landscape.
Strategically located along the coast, Kenya’s Mombasa Port serves as a key logistics hub for landlocked nations such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and other Central African countries. Blessed with diverse terrain, Kenya is also ideal for renewable energy development—93% of its power supply comes from clean sources, primarily hydro and geothermal, while solar and wind energy are rapidly expanding.
Dubbed the "Silicon Savannah," Kenya is home to leading pan-African B2B e-commerce platforms such as AMBESA and is actively advancing digital transformation across its public and private sectors. Ambassador Bett highlighted that, with robust infrastructure development under the Belt and Road Initiative, now is an opportune time for foreign investors to explore Kenya’s vast potential. Additionally, Kenya’s preferential trade policies and memberships in the East African Community Customs Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Tripartite Free Trade Area, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ensure seamless market access for investors targeting Eastern and Central Africa.
| | 2025/06/02 |
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 | | Vietnam’s economy is booming as the government focuses on attracting investment in high-tech industries, financial services, and professional services, said Do Quoc Hung, Director General, Asia-Africa Market Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam, who led a delegation to the Chamber on 28 May to promote e-commerce, trade and investment.
He added that the new government is cutting red tape, revising laws and improving infrastructure to support its growing economy and to attract more overseas companies.
Small businesses and e-commerce are key drivers of Vietnam’s economic development, with e-commerce growing 22% in 2024 year-on-year to reach US$25 billion. According to Tran Thuy Tien from the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, under the National Master Plan on E-commerce, online retail sales are expected to grow 20-30% annually in the coming years.
Galvin Chia, Principal Economist, HKTDC, also speaking at the event, was equally bullish. A recent HKTDC survey ranked ASEAN as the market with the most potential, second only to China. He noted that the Hong Kong Government’s plan to inject HK$2.5 billion into the BUD Fund to support SMEs, along with expanding the E-commerce Easy program to all 10 ASEAN countries, will further drive ecommerce growth.
The discussions, hosted by Chamber General Committee Member Edmond Yue and Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, were followed by a productive networking session where attendees sampled Vietnamese F&B products.
| | 2025/05/28 |
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 | | Indonesia’s Consul General Yul Edison spoke to a full house at the Chamber’s Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee meeting on 14 May about the country’s business environment and trade with Hong Kong and the region.
With a population of 285 million, 40% of whom are middle class, the economy has been enjoying annual GDP growth of 5%, and the government has set a target of 8% going forward. Hong Kong was Indonesia’s second largest investor in 2024, bringing accumulated FDI to US$33 billion in almost 9,000 projects.
While FDI is growing steady, the country has a large trade deficit with Hong Kong, which he is hoping to address with by boosting exports the country, while attracting more investment into the 25 special economic zones across the archipelago. He also aims to raise the number of Hong Kong tourists to Indonesia, which reached 56,000 last year, significantly behind the pre-covid number of 95,000.
| | 2025/05/14 |
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 | | We had a fantastic evening of networking and camaraderie at TokyoLima on 8 May, as HKGCC and the Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry again joined forces for a lively and productive joint happy hour!
Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee, and Makoto Wakita, Secretary General of HKJCCI welcomed members from both chambers before proposing a toast with Yusuke Kimura, Economic Consul, Japanese Consulate General, and HKGCC CEO Patrick Yeung.
Guests enjoyed delicious and unique nibbles during lively conversations and made valuable connections between the Hong Kong and Japanese business communities. A big thank you to everyone who joined. Stay tuned for more exciting collaborations ahead. Visit our Facebook page for more photos.
| | 2025/05/08 |
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 | | The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) co-organized a webinar on 7 May to update Hong Kong businesses on the latest investment incentives in Bahrain. The event was supported by the Chairman of BCCI, the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Tamkeen (Bahrain’s labor fund), the Honorary Consul General of Bahrain in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Bahrain Business Association.
Bahrain’s financial sector remains a key economic driver, contributing 16.9% to GDP, followed by manufacturing at 15.7%. For Hong Kong businesses, they said financial services, ICT, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism were sectors that the government was prioritising.
Aurelio Castilla, Head of International Offices at EDB, highlighted opportunities in southern Bahrain’s downstream aluminum industry, suggesting Hong Kong could collaborate with mainland Chinese businesses in this sector. He also emphasized Bahrain’s growing digitalization and e-commerce landscape as areas where Hong Kong’s expertise could prove advantageous.
Bahrain has long been a gateway to other GCC members, and offers many incentives, including generous subsidies and tax incentives. Companies interested in learning more about Bahrain’s business opportunities can contact EDB at https://www.bahrainedb.com/
| | 2025/05/07 |
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 | | It was a pleasure to welcome Abdulla Alnoaimi, United Arab Emirates Commercial Attaché to the People’s Republic of China, to the Chamber on April 23, accompanied by UAE’s Consul General in Hong Kong, Shaikh Saoud Al Mualla, and Ahmed Elbeshlawy, Economic Analyst.
HKGCC Chairman Agnes Chan and members welcomed the visitors, who discussed the upcoming Investopia – Hong Kong Edition, which is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong in mid-September. The investment platform aims to facilitate global collaboration between investors, business leaders and governments to identify and launch new investment opportunities, promote economic growth, and incubate future economies around the world.
Alnoaimi highlighted the significance of the Hong Kong-UAE partnership, and how both economies serve as the main entry points to surrounding regions. The UAE is also aiming to attract more investments by allowing full foreign ownership of businesses, easy repatriation of funds, and sectoral free trade zones, among other incentives. As such, it has attracted around 15,500 Chinese companies to operate in the UAE, often as a hub to enter MENA markets.
Chan agreed on the importance of deepening connections with UAE through co-organizing events and visits, and also explained about the many benefits Hong Kong can offer to UAE companies.
| | 2025/04/23 |
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 | | Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq in the United Arab Emirates, and his colleagues visited the Chamber on 8 April to learn more about the development and application of innovation and advanced technologies in Hong Kong. Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan, CEO Patrick Yeung, and leaders from the Asia, Africa & Middle East and Innovation Data & Communication committees welcomed the guests.
Al Ghurair highlighted Mashreq Group's significant presence in the MENA region and South Asia, with a strong track record of over 40 years in Hong Kong. Leveraging its expertise in these regions, Mashreq is well-positioned to complement international banking institutions focused on traditional markets, aligning with Hong Kong's strategy to tap into the emerging market economy.
Tarek El Nahas, Head of International Banking at Mashreq Group, emphasized the crucial role of local partners in facilitating overseas expansion. He noted the underrepresentation of Chinese brands in the Middle East and proposed that Mashreq's reputation and support could provide liquidity when establishing a new branch.
Chan concurred on the importance of local partners in market familiarization, citing the Government's initiative on regional collaboration during the CPPCC Standing Committee Session. Timothy Tam, Vice Chairman of the Innovation Data & Communication Committee, shared the interests of start-ups and green technologies partners in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and suggested opportunities for collaboration.
| | 2025/04/08 |
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