The Bulletin

Chamber in Review

The Bulletin. November 2025

International Connections

The Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Industries, Commerce & Investment Department Punjab (ICID), on 13 October to expand cooperation between Hong Kong and Pakistan. 
Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Minister, ICID, and Agnes Chan, Chairman, HKGCC, signed the agreement, which was initiated during a virtual meeting with Minister Hussain in September this year. 
Hussain, accompanied by Waleed Ahmad, President, Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Wahab Tariq Butt, Managing Director, Hong Kong Visa Application Centre, explained that the province of Punjab is actively seeking to attract investment by offering a one-stop shop for investors and encouraging local businesses to go global. The Punjab government views Hong Kong as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland, and is seeking future knowledge exchanges in digital transformation and renewable technology through the city.
Members interested in receiving news updates about Pakistan can contact the Chamber secretariat.

It was a pleasure to welcome Özcan Tokel, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, to the Chamber on 23 October.
During a meeting with Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee and other committee leaders, Tokel discussed how Turkish companies can leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asian nations, especially in the food, textiles, film and jewellery sectors. He also encouraged Hong Kong businesses to visit Türkiye to take part in trade exhibitions and explore new opportunities.
The exchange also focused on ways to enhance bilateral trade relations, including the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the partnership between Hong Kong and Türkiye.

Anas Shadi, Deputy Consul General of Egypt in Hong Kong, visited the Chamber on 16 October to share exciting developments from the country.
Anas highlighted the booming Suez Canal Industrial Zone – a strategic gateway for factories exporting to Europe. He emphasized Egypt’s strategic pivot to diversify its economic partnerships, with a keen focus on attracting Chinese investment to create new opportunities for trade and collaboration with Hong Kong.
The meeting explored the potential for Egyptian companies to use Hong Kong as a gateway to access the vast Chinese Mainland and Asian markets, with a particular focus on high-demand exports like citrus and other agricultural products.
There is also significant potential for tourism growth. With only 3,000 Hong Kong visitors travelling to Egypt annually, with an opportunity for expansion through enhanced marketing and strategic partnerships between our business communities.

It was a pleasure to welcome Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand, to the Chamber on 16 October.
In a meeting with Veronica Lockyer, Chairman of the HKCSI Executive Committee, and Economist Doris Fung, Rich engaged in an exchange on Hong Kong’s business environment and its strengths as a global hub for trade and investment. Outlining HKGCC’s core mission, Lockyer said the Chamber advocates for the Hong Kong business community through policy proposals and formal submissions to the Government.
As the first country to sign a free trade agreement with Hong Kong, New Zealand takes pride in its vibrant tourism and service sectors, Rich noted. She also expressed enthusiasm for welcoming business delegations from Hong Kong, underscoring New Zealand’s openness to deeper engagement.

On 30 September, we had the privilege of hosting Federico Lage, the first Consul General of Uruguay’s Consulate General in Hong Kong, which was established in May 2025. He was warmly received by Americas Committee Chairman Mark Michelson and former Chairman Evaristo Treviño Berlanga. The two sides exchanged views on fostering trade ties between Uruguay and Hong Kong.
Lage emphasized Uruguay’s strategic importance as a trade hub for MNCs accessing South American markets. With a population of three million, Uruguay sustains food exports for nearly 30 million people worldwide. He identified key sectors for expanding trade and investment, including IT, R&D, life sciences, energy transition, agriculture, and F&B.
Underscoring the country’s dedication to sustainability, Lage noted that nearly 100% of its electricity is generated from renewable sources. Uruguay is also one of the few countries with a mandatory electronic livestock traceability system, reflecting its commitment to agricultural excellence and transparency.

Annika Boleten-Drutschmann, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Hong Kong and Macau, paid a courtesy visit to the Chamber on 20 October. She was welcomed by Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan, CEO Patrick Yeung, and Europe Committee Chairman
CK Lee and Vice Chairman Stratos Pourzitakis.
The two sides exchanged views on Hong Kong's advantages. Chan introduced the Chamber’s Asian Cities Internationality Index, which highlights how Hong Kong and Singapore remain among the world’s most open and competitive business hubs, each with its own unique advantages.
Consul General Boleten-Drutschmann emphasized that mastering cross-cultural communication skills is vital for success in international business. She expressed hope for increased investment in educational and cultural exchange programmes between Hong Kong and Germany.

Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee

HKGCC Inks MoU with ICID Punjab, Pakistan

The Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Industries, Commerce & Investment Department Punjab (ICID), on 13 October to expand cooperation between Hong Kong and Pakistan.

Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Minister, ICID, and Agnes Chan, Chairman, HKGCC, signed the agreement, which was initiated during a virtual meeting with Minister Hussain in September this year.
Hussain, accompanied by Waleed Ahmad, President, Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Wahab Tariq Butt, Managing Director, Hong Kong Visa Application Centre, explained that the province of Punjab is actively seeking to attract investment by offering a one-stop shop for investors and encouraging local businesses to go global. The Punjab government views Hong Kong as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland, and is seeking future knowledge exchanges in digital transformation and renewable technology through the city.
Members interested in receiving news updates about Pakistan can contact the Chamber secretariat.

Forging Ties with Türkiye

It was a pleasure to welcome Özcan Tokel, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, to the Chamber on 23 October.

During a meeting with Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee and other committee leaders, Tokel discussed how Turkish companies can leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asian nations, especially in the food, textiles, film and jewellery sectors. He also encouraged Hong Kong businesses to visit Türkiye to take part in trade exhibitions and explore new opportunities.

The exchange also focused on ways to enhance bilateral trade relations, including the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the partnership between Hong Kong and Türkiye.

Exploring Collaboration with Egypt
Anas Shadi, Deputy Consul General of Egypt in Hong Kong, visited the Chamber on 16 October to share exciting developments from the country.

Anas highlighted the booming Suez Canal Industrial Zone – a strategic gateway for factories exporting to Europe. He emphasized Egypt’s strategic pivot to diversify its economic partnerships, with a keen focus on attracting Chinese investment to create new opportunities for trade and collaboration with Hong Kong.

The meeting explored the potential for Egyptian companies to use Hong Kong as a gateway to access the vast Chinese Mainland and Asian markets, with a particular focus on high-demand exports like citrus and other agricultural products.

There is also significant potential for tourism growth. With only 3,000 Hong Kong visitors travelling to Egypt annually, with an opportunity for expansion through enhanced marketing and strategic partnerships between our business communities.

Building Bridges Between Hong Kong and New Zealand

It was a pleasure to welcome Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand, to the Chamber on 16 October.

In a meeting with Veronica Lockyer, Chairman of the HKCSI Executive Committee, and Economist Doris Fung, Rich engaged in an exchange on Hong Kong’s business environment and its strengths as a global hub for trade and investment. Outlining HKGCC’s core mission, Lockyer said the Chamber advocates for the Hong Kong business community through policy proposals and formal submissions to the Government.

As the first country to sign a free trade agreement with Hong Kong, New Zealand takes pride in its vibrant tourism and service sectors, Rich noted. She also expressed enthusiasm for welcoming business delegations from Hong Kong, underscoring New Zealand’s openness to deeper engagement.

Americas Committee

Enhancing Uruguay-Hong Kong Ties

On 30 September, we had the privilege of hosting Federico Lage, the first Consul General of Uruguay’s Consulate General in Hong Kong, which was established in May 2025. He was warmly received by Americas Committee Chairman Mark Michelson and former Chairman Evaristo Treviño Berlanga. The two sides exchanged views on fostering trade ties between Uruguay and Hong Kong.

Lage emphasized Uruguay’s strategic importance as a trade hub for MNCs accessing South American markets. With a population of three million, Uruguay sustains food exports for nearly 30 million people worldwide. He identified key sectors for expanding trade and investment, including IT, R&D, life sciences, energy transition, agriculture, and F&B.

Underscoring the country’s dedication to sustainability, Lage noted that nearly 100% of its electricity is generated from renewable sources. Uruguay is also one of the few countries with a mandatory electronic livestock traceability system, reflecting its commitment to agricultural excellence and transparency.

Europe Committee

The two sides exchanged views on Hong Kong's advantages. Chan introduced the Chamber’s Asian Cities Internationality Index, which highlights how Hong Kong and Singapore remain among the world’s most open and competitive business hubs, each with its own unique advantages.

Consul General Boleten-Drutschmann emphasized that mastering cross-cultural communication skills is vital for success in international business. She expressed hope for increased investment in educational and cultural exchange programmes between Hong Kong and Germany.

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