The Bulletin

Chamber in Review

The Bulletin. January 2025

International Connections

We had an interesting exchange on 13 December with Fernando González Saiffe, Director General for Asia Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Relations of Mexico, during his first trip to Hong Kong. He said he has been very impressed by the vibrancy of the city, its officials, businesses and innovation across various sectors. He added that witnessing firsthand how the “One Country, Two Systems” framework provides Hong Kong with unique advantages was eye-opening.
Accompanied by Consul General of Mexico Pablo Macedo Riba and Consul Esteban Ramírez González, the Chamber’s Americas Committee Chairman Mark Michelson, Vice Chairmen Susana Muñoz Enríquez and Yazdi Parekh, and former committee chairman Evaristo Treviño Berlanga, discussed Asia’s increasingly important trade and investment in Mexico and Latin America. Chinese investments within its borders are shaping a dynamic landscape of international economic collaborations for the country.
Saiffe noted that Hong Kong serves as a gateway for Mexican enterprises to access the Chinese market, reciprocated by Mexico’s role as a gateway for Hong Kong enterprises to tap into the Latin American market.
The Chamber’s Economist, Doris Fung, briefed the visitors on the findings of the Chamber’s latest Business Prospects Survey and our economic forecast for Hong Kong in 2025, analyzing the business and economic sentiments in the region.

Le Xia, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at BBVA Research, discussed the economic outlook for Latin America and long-term opportunities in the region during the Americas Committee meeting on 4 December.
Commenting on the monetary policies of several major LATAM countries, Xia noted their lead over the U.S. Fed in interest rate cuts. At the same time, inflation is expected to be more resilient over the next two years. He also delved into the forecasts concerning GDP growth, fiscal balance and currency exchange rates for the region.
Regarding business trends, Xia highlighted that LATAM nations are well-positioned in the fight against climate change with vast renewable energy resources and clean energy exports to the EU. He underscored the crucial role of private investment in per capita growth in these countries.

It was a pleasure to meet Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Yul Edison and his team on 16 December to reinforce relations between the Consulate and the Chamber.
Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam and Vice Chairman Zaman Minhas Qamar discussed business opportunities in the country and the importance of Hong Kong’s FDI there, second only to Singapore. Consul General Edison said investments in infrastructure, particularly seaports, were crucial for enhancing connectivity across Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands.
They also discussed the Chamber’s planned business mission to Indonesia in 2025 and HKTDC’s “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” forum in Jakarta this month.

We had a productive breakfast meeting with Nicholas Ho, Commissioner of the Belt and Road Office, and his team on 9 December. Ho explained that while ASEAN and Middle Eastern markets will remain the primary focus for his office, there is also an initiative to explore opportunities in Central Asia, which serves as a gateway to Eastern Europe.
During the meeting, Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and HKGCC Belt and Road Working Group Convenor Edmond Yue proposed organizing business and cultural events related to Belt and Road countries in conjunction with the Belt & Road Summit scheduled for September this year.
To further encourage companies from Belt and Road countries to invest and do business in Hong Kong, Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Chamber’s Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee, suggested that the Government consider simplifying the process for businesspeople to apply for a multiple-entry visa, as well as expanding Halal options in the city.

Timo Kantola, Consul General of Finland to Hong Kong and Macao, shared informative insights into business development and opportunities in Finland, particularly in green business and sustainability, at the Europe Committee meeting on 5 December.
Kantola provided an overview of the country’s economy, geography and key sectors such as EV batteries and forestry. Despite challenges stemming from the war in Ukraine, Finland demonstrated economic resilience, with the healthcare and green transition industries presenting numerous business opportunities. Kantola added that while Finland’s exports to Hong Kong remain low at around €100 million annually, many Finnish companies are expanding in Hong Kong.
Afterwards, Committee member Jennifer Chan and Yixia Gu, secretary of the Innovation, Data & Communication Committee (IDC), gave a presentation on the tech-focused week-long study mission to Germany and France in late March 2025. Members interested in learning more about the mission can contact the IDC secretary.

We were delighted to welcome Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, along with Trade Affairs Officer Sami Al Daghistani, to the Chamber on 6 December. They were welcomed by Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan, CEO Patrick Yeung and leaders of the Europe Committee.
Ambassador Rouse shared valuable insights into the priorities of EU policymakers regarding Hong Kong and China. He emphasized that Hong Kong’s diverse global talent pool is essential for maintaining the city’s competitiveness and attractiveness to businesses and professionals.
He noted that Hong Kong’s image in Europe had been adversely affected and expressed hope for the city to embark on a new chapter. Attracting more international talent will be crucial for Hong Kong to reinforce its status as a leading hub for business, air transport and logistics. He said persistent misconceptions about Hong Kong abroad highlight the need for a concerted effort to communicate that the city offers an exceptionally safe, open, competitive and unique business environment.

Americas Committee

Strengthening Links with Mexico

Accompanied by Consul General of Mexico Pablo Macedo Riba and Consul Esteban Ramírez González, the Chamber’s Americas Committee Chairman Mark Michelson, Vice Chairmen Susana Muñoz Enríquez and Yazdi Parekh, and former committee chairman Evaristo Treviño Berlanga, discussed Asia’s increasingly important trade and investment in Mexico and Latin America. Chinese investments within its borders are shaping a dynamic landscape of international economic collaborations for the country.

Saiffe noted that Hong Kong serves as a gateway for Mexican enterprises to access the Chinese market, reciprocated by Mexico’s role as a gateway for Hong Kong enterprises to tap into the Latin American market.

The Chamber’s Economist, Doris Fung, briefed the visitors on the findings of the Chamber’s latest Business Prospects Survey and our economic forecast for Hong Kong in 2025, analyzing the business and economic sentiments in the region.

Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee

Expanding Hong Kong-Queensland Trade and Investment

Tanya Dillon, Director (Investment & Education), and Thomas Lam, Senior Director, from Trade and Investment Queensland, Hong Kong and Macau, called on Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and Director for PR & Programs Malcolm Ainsworth on 25 November.

They explained that Queensland offers numerous opportunities for Hong Kong companies, ranging from its thriving food and agribusiness sectors to biotechnology, tourism and sports education. Additionally, the state is a popular choice for Hong Kong students seeking to further their education. Yeung proposed several ways the Chamber could assist their office in promoting trade and investment in Australia’s second-largest state.

Economic Forecast for LATAM Nations

Commenting on the monetary policies of several major LATAM countries, Xia noted their lead over the U.S. Fed in interest rate cuts. At the same time, inflation is expected to be more resilient over the next two years. He also delved into the forecasts concerning GDP growth, fiscal balance and currency exchange rates for the region.

Regarding business trends, Xia highlighted that LATAM nations are well-positioned in the fight against climate change with vast renewable energy resources and clean energy exports to the EU. He underscored the crucial role of private investment in per capita growth in these countries.

Joining Hands with AustCham

Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and Patricia Slawinska, the Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, had a useful exchange on 6 December about how the two chambers can work more closely together.

In addition to exploring ways to collaborate on projects to boost businesses in Hong Kong and internationally – from sports to tourism and trade – they also discussed joint business missions to the Greater Bay Area and wider Mainland.

Unlocking Indonesia’s Investment Potential

It was a pleasure to meet Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Yul Edison and his team on 16 December to reinforce relations between the Consulate and the Chamber.

Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam and Vice Chairman Zaman Minhas Qamar discussed business opportunities in the country and the importance of Hong Kong’s FDI there, second only to Singapore. Consul General Edison said investments in infrastructure, particularly seaports, were crucial for enhancing connectivity across Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands.

They also discussed the Chamber’s planned business mission to Indonesia in 2025 and HKTDC’s “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” forum in Jakarta this month.

Belt & Road: Strategies for Growth

During the meeting, Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and HKGCC Belt and Road Working Group Convenor Edmond Yue proposed organizing business and cultural events related to Belt and Road countries in conjunction with the Belt & Road Summit scheduled for September this year.

To further encourage companies from Belt and Road countries to invest and do business in Hong Kong, Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Chamber’s Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee, suggested that the Government consider simplifying the process for businesspeople to apply for a multiple-entry visa, as well as expanding Halal options in the city.

Europe Committee

Discovering Business Opportunities in Finland

Kantola provided an overview of the country’s economy, geography and key sectors such as EV batteries and forestry. Despite challenges stemming from the war in Ukraine, Finland demonstrated economic resilience, with the healthcare and green transition industries presenting numerous business opportunities. Kantola added that while Finland’s exports to Hong Kong remain low at around €100 million annually, many Finnish companies are expanding in Hong Kong.

Afterwards, Committee member Jennifer Chan and Yixia Gu, secretary of the Innovation, Data & Communication Committee (IDC), gave a presentation on the tech-focused week-long study mission to Germany and France in late March 2025. Members interested in learning more about the mission can contact the IDC secretary.

Deepening Ties with the European Union

Ambassador Rouse shared valuable insights into the priorities of EU policymakers regarding Hong Kong and China. He emphasized that Hong Kong’s diverse global talent pool is essential for maintaining the city’s competitiveness and attractiveness to businesses and professionals.

He noted that Hong Kong’s image in Europe had been adversely affected and expressed hope for the city to embark on a new chapter. Attracting more international talent will be crucial for Hong Kong to reinforce its status as a leading hub for business, air transport and logistics. He said persistent misconceptions about Hong Kong abroad highlight the need for a concerted effort to communicate that the city offers an exceptionally safe, open, competitive and unique business environment.

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