The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrated its 60th anniversary by announcing two major optimizations: a corporate restructuring into six industry clusters and a reconfiguration of its global network to tap high-growth emerging markets. Chairman Professor Frederick Ma unveiled the initiatives at a press conference, emphasizing the need to respond to changing geopolitics, supply chain reconfigurations, and the rise of new technology.
The HKTDC has reorganized its functions around a cluster approach with six sectors: Finance and Professional Services; Global Network and Supply Chain; Technology and Digital Innovation; Wellness and Creative Industries; Consumer Goods and Lifestyle; and Corporate Development. Executive Director Sophia Chong said the cluster approach enhances operational efficiency and sector knowledge, allowing the council to provide more comprehensive and integrated solutions through a single point of contact.
On the resource optimization front, the HKTDC is shifting focus from traditional markets to emerging economies. The council will enhance its consultant office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to strengthen support in Central Asia. In the Middle East, resources will be bolstered at the Riyadh, Saudi Arabia office. A new consultant office will be established in Cairo, Egypt, to expand presence in Africa. Additionally, capabilities will be strengthened in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile, to capture opportunities in the Global South. In ASEAN, promotional work will be intensified in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, while offices in Istanbul and Warsaw will be enhanced.
Professor Ma noted that the Chief Executive’s successful mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June opened doors for Hong Kong enterprises and generated potential opportunities. The HKTDC will maintain two-way trade with North America, encouraging U.S. and Canadian enterprises to participate in its activities. The London office will expand its responsibilities to oversee promotion in Nordic markets.
The HKTDC currently operates 51 offices worldwide, covering major markets from the Chinese Mainland to the Americas. The optimizations align with Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan and contribute to the country’s development. The council aims to support Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global while encouraging international companies to use Hong Kong as a base for expansion.
For more details on the 60th anniversary activities, visit https://60.hktdc.com/en. Media resources are available at https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en.
