Hong Kong seeks closer Asean ties with trade exhibition in Bangkok
More than 2,000 buyers from eight Asean countries, including Thailand, attended the "Think Business, Think Hong Kong” event held at the Centara Hotel Bangkok on July 13-14, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said on Monday.
The number of participants demonstrated that the two-day event received an enthusiastic response from local chambers and associations, highlighting their interest in leveraging Hong Kong as a gateway to expand their business globally, the HK council said.
The exhibition, according to the council, aimed to promote Hong Kong's strengths and highlight the city's most recent developments.
Over 80% of them were new to the Thai market, and their companies were looking for local potential Thai partners as well as Asean networking opportunities, the council said.
The chairman of the HK council, Peter K N Lam, said during the exclusive Hong Kong night cocktail reception on the first day that the event would strengthen the partnership between Thailand and Hong Kong.
Thailand, along with Asean and Hong Kong, as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, is a rapidly expanding area. This would provide many opportunities for Thai businesses and strengthen Hong Kong-Thailand economic ties, he said.
According to Algernon Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, relations between Hong Kong and Thailand have grown stronger over time, fostering a solid partnership that has fuelled both countries' economic development.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt delivered a speech in which he noted that by combining Thailand's and Hong Kong's strengths, expertise, and resources, they could create more opportunities and foster a business ecosystem that attracts investments, drives innovation, and supports emerging industries in our region.
Aside from displaying the products, the event also featured a series of trade talks from leading experts who shared insights on e-commerce, sustainability and environmental, social and governance, and the future of retail sectors.
All topics were relevant to Thai businesses and aligned with Thailand's Bio Circular Green (BCG) economic growth strategy.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is a statutory body founded in 1966 with the purpose of promoting, assisting, and developing Hong Kong's trade. The council promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub through 50 offices worldwide, including 13 in mainland China.
