Americas Committee
Exploring Collaboration with the Greater Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Kate Sullivan, Executive Director of Greater Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce, called on the HKGCC on 2 December. She was warmly welcomed by HKGCC CEO Patrick Yeung and Americas Committee Chairman Mark Michelson.
The two sides exchanged updates on their respective chamber activities, discussed potential opportunities for business collaboration and member networking, and shared views on business sentiment in their regions.
Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee
Deepening Dialogue with New Zealand
Jonathan Austin, Ambassador of New Zealand to China, and Peter Lund, Consul General of New Zealand in Hong Kong, visited the Chamber on 25 November. They were received by Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan and CEO Patrick Yeung, along with Asia, Africa and Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam and Vice Chairman Anastasia Gordeeva.
Ambassador Austin said Hong Kong accounted for around 10% of New Zealand’s exports, while the Chinese Mainland accounted for 16%. He explained that China is an important economic partner for New Zealand, with major exports including dairy, meat, fruit as well as wood, tourism and education among the important growth areas.
Chan described Hong Kong as China's most international metropolis and the world’s top offshore RMB business hub, noting that Hong Kong possesses the world’s only bilingual common law system, which underpins institutions such as the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.
Highlighting Hong Kong's role as a super-connector and super-value-adder, Gordeeva emphasized the confidence foreign investors have in the city, given how simple it is to set up a business here.
Enhancing Hong Kong-Indonesia Relations
It was a pleasure to welcome Mohamad Siradj Parwito, Deputy Assistant for Food Price Stabilization at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Republic of Indonesia to the Chamber on 20 November. The delegation was received by Chamber Vice Chairman PC Yu, CEO Patrick Yeung and leaders of the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee.
Discussing Hong Kong’s food sector, particularly rice as a staple, Yu explained that while the Government does not intervene in market pricing, rice is classified as a strategic resource, with stockpiles secured in government reserves. Traditionally, Hong Kong has imported most of its rice from Thailand. However, demand for Vietnamese rice is growing, alongside premium varieties from Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Yu also noted that overall rice consumption has declined in recent years, driven by increasingly Westernized diets, shifting demographics and a wider range of food options.
Building Ties with Iran
Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan met with Dr Hassan Doutaghi, the newly appointed Consul General of Iran in Hong Kong and Macao, on 12 December.
Chan shared insights from HKGCC’s latest Business Prospects Survey, which revealed that 48.3% of respondents hold a positive outlook for Hong Kong’s business environment in the coming year. She reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to fostering deeper international ties and proposed a virtual meeting between HKGCC members and the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture to encourage direct engagement.
Dr Doutaghi commended the success of the HKGCC International Business Summit, noting it as a testament to Hong Kong’s hospitality and global connectivity. He also introduced Iran’s tourism sector, highlighting the potential for collaboration between the two regions and opportunities to strengthen economic and cultural ties.
Europe Committee
Forging Links with the EU Office in Hong Kong and Macao
We had an afternoon of productive exchanges with Harvey Rouse, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, on 27 November. Trade Affairs Officer Sami AI Daghistani, Marjut Hannonen, Head of Trade for the EU Delegation in Beijing and Trade Officer Martynas Baciulis also attended the meeting, which focused on the opportunities in Hong Kong and the challenges ahead.
Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung emphasized that by consolidating its strengths in finance and professional services, Hong Kong can better serve as a super-connector between China and the rest of the world. He noted that digital transformation would help traditional industries – including retail and logistics – unlock new levels of efficiency and drive sustainable growth. Ambassador Rouse echoed these views, highlighting Hong Kong’s openness and international status, underpinned by its unique economic and common law legal system.
Both sides also discussed the need to attract and retain professionals across diverse sectors, which is crucial to boosting the city’s talent pool and addressing issues such as an ageing population.
Bolstering Nordic-Hong Kong Connections
The Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Finland-Hong Kong Business Association (FHKBA) during the Europe Committee meeting on 3 December.
The agreement to strengthen cooperation was signed by Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and FHKBA Chairman Pertti Jalasvirta, witnessed by HKGCC Europe Committee Chairman CK Lee and FHKBA Chief Liaison Officer James Chen.
Jalasvirta outlined the specific measures that FHKBA is implementing to support Finnish companies operating in Hong Kong. One notable initiative is the Nordic-Hong Kong Matchmaking tool, which will link companies and individuals across the two economies interested in growing business, trade and investment.
Additionally, Committee member Miguel Latorre, Managing Director of Acclime Corporate Services Ltd, offered insights into the trends transforming the corporate service landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. Special thanks to Latorre for providing the meeting venue.