The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully after a two-day event that attracted over 6,200 political and business leaders from more than 70 countries and regions. According to the organisers, the Summit showcased over 300 investment projects, arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, and facilitated more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
This year's Summit focused on business globalisation, new market opportunities, and cross-regional cooperation. It aimed to promote exchanges and collaboration between the government and business sectors, creating opportunities for enterprises to expand into international markets while deepening Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with emerging markets such as ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The event underscored Hong Kong's unique role as a super connector and super value-adder.
In response to the accelerating pace of Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding into overseas markets, the Summit introduced the GoGlobal Chapter for the first time. This new chapter encompassed thematic sessions, the GoGlobal Connect Zone, roundtable discussions, and the GoGlobal Business Study Mission, providing a one-stop exchange and matchmaking platform for enterprises looking to explore overseas markets.
A key breakout session titled "Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global: Driving Mutual Growth Across Belt and Road Economies" featured welcome remarks by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau, as well as sharing of practical experience by representatives from several Chinese Mainland enterprises and Hong Kong professional services enterprises. During the Summit, Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Deloitte Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited signed a MoU to collaborate on going global.
Chen Li, President of Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd., said: "Given the current global economic climate, going global is a natural choice for us. We have entered into an agreement with Deloitte precisely because we value their expertise in global tax, legal and labour consultancy. Combining our technological and product strengths with Deloitte's global support will enable us to ensure compliance and maintain a sound credit standing, thereby enhancing our competitiveness and enabling us to go further on the global stage."
Building on the outcomes of Chief Executive John Lee's visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June this year, the Summit introduced a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and Central Asia Zone to further deepen Hong Kong's business and trade ties with Central Asian markets. Key development projects such as Kazakhstan's Alatau City and Data Center Valley attracted participants' interest.
Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: "Kazakhstan has a strong aerospace foundation. The sector combines research institutions, laboratories, satellites, assembly and testing capabilities, and the Baikonur Cosmodrome. We are developing a satellite system and digital platform for agriculture, land use, emergency response, and resource management."
The Summit further strengthened its Middle East elements through the Middle East Chapter, Middle East Zone, and multiple thematic sessions. The Business Plenary, themed "Unlocking New Market Opportunities along and beyond the Belt and Road", focused on the Middle East and African markets. Speakers from Qatar, Oman, South Africa, and Nigeria shared insights on the enormous potential of emerging markets.
Additionally, the Project Investment Session, New Market Focus: The Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, invited political and business representatives from Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, and South Africa to share developments in their key industries. At the Signature Projects Session, Enver Iskurt, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkiye, introduced the large-scale Ankara-Istanbul super speed railway infrastructure project, and said: "Turkey is a secure hub that has continued to pursue its projects with determination despite global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. Hong Kong-based investors, financial institutions, and engineering firms can play an active role at every stage of our projects, from financing to engineering solutions, particularly in the railway investments we have prioritised in recent times."
Through the Project Investment Session, the Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones, this year's Summit showcased over 300 investment projects, with a total project value exceeding US$5.4 billion, and arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings. Among the MoUs facilitated was one involving Jabal Asset Management LLC of Oman.
Issa Al Battashi, Managing Director and Executive Board Member of Jabal Asset Management LLC, said: "We feel that the Summit as a whole is an opportunity to connect capital, institutions and retail investors across these markets. We believe that if we are able to keep creating dialogue and forming meaningful partnerships, we should see a lot of this translate into positive results in the near future."
The Exhibition Zones featured more than 120 exhibitors, including the Hong Kong Zone, Global Investment Zone, Chinese Mainland Zone, and ASEAN Zone. New zones were added, including the University Zone, GreenTech Zone, and GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing research achievements, innovative technologies, green solutions, and professional services resources.
As a new highlight of Belt and Road Week, the ASEAN Market Day received an enthusiastic response, attracting 340 SMEs who gained in-depth understanding of the latest development trends and business opportunities in the ASEAN market. The event featured dedicated consultation sessions, allowing participants to engage in face-to-face in-depth discussions with representatives from HKTDC's ASEAN offices, various ASEAN Consulates General and associations. The HKTDC will launch more thematic promotion activities for high-potential markets, including GoGBA Development Day, African Market Day, and Middle East Market Day, to assist Hong Kong enterprises, particularly SMEs, in seizing new global development opportunities.
Although the Summit has concluded successfully, cooperation negotiations will continue, and a series of follow-up activities will continue to drive cooperation implementation. The Belt and Road Deal-Making will be extended to 14-15 September in an online format, continuing to provide enterprises with business matching and cooperation opportunities. The Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable 2026 today brings together representatives from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, and international chambers of commerce and organisations to discuss the latest market development trends and deepen regional exchanges and cooperation.
For more information about the HKTDC, visit https://www.hktdc.com/aboutus. The original release can be viewed at www.newmediawire.com.
