The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host its Think Business, Think Hong Kong flagship promotion campaign at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on November 27, marking the event's first return to Italy since 2014. This gathering of over 700 business leaders, officials, and investors comes at a critical time as Italian companies increasingly look toward Asian markets for expansion opportunities, with Hong Kong positioned as the essential gateway.
A joint survey conducted by HKTDC and the Italy China Council Foundation reveals compelling data about Italian business intentions in Asia. The research, titled Italian Companies' Asian Expansion Priorities: Innovation, Healthcare and Retail Sectors, surveyed 172 Italian C-suite and senior business leaders in Q3 2025. Findings indicate that 77% of surveyed Italian businesses are strongly committed to expanding in Asia, with the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong identified as their priority markets. Notably, 93% of respondents believe Hong Kong can effectively support their expansion plans over the next three years.
The event takes place against the backdrop of significant bilateral economic relationships. Italy stands as Hong Kong's fourth-largest EU trading partner and export market, with bilateral trade reaching US$8.3 billion in 2024. As of the end of 2023, Hong Kong was the third most popular destination for Italian investment in Asia, while Hong Kong investors ranked as the third-largest Asian investors in Italy. Currently, 200 Italian companies operate in Hong Kong across sectors including fashion and luxury goods, electronics, food and beverages, and high-value professional services.
The TBTHK Milan program features an opening session with Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan and HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma, alongside an Italian government representative. The plenary session will include high-profile speakers from various industries, including Bernard Chan of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Bonnie Chan of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, and Alex Zhavoronkov of Insilico Medicine, among others.
Five thematic sessions will provide in-depth insights into practical collaboration opportunities. The Digital Trade and Finance session will highlight Hong Kong's role as a leading financial hub and its advanced digital trade initiatives. Innovation and Technology discussions will explore Hong Kong's position as a testbed for AI, robotics, and smart city solutions. The Global Supply Chain session showcases Hong Kong's drive for innovation through European partnerships, while Creative and Design panels will feature master designers and emerging talents sharing successful brand collaboration stories.
Beyond the symposium, the event includes an exhibition featuring over 20 Hong Kong service providers and start-ups showcasing innovative services and technologies. The program also offers one-on-one business consultations and on-site business matching to facilitate deals between Italian and Hong Kong companies, concluding with a Hong Kong Dinner for additional networking opportunities.
Hong Kong's appeal to Italian businesses stems from its unique regional business ecosystem, combining competitive taxation, a robust common law legal framework, strong intellectual property protection, and privileged access to both the Chinese Mainland and emerging Asia-Pacific markets. The city's strengths as a logistics and supply chain management hub were widely acknowledged by survey respondents as key factors supporting their expansion plans.
For additional event information, visit https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html. Registration for the November 27 event is available at https://milan.hktdc.com/index.php.
