The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) led a delegation of 20 local innovation and technology companies and institutions to Barcelona, Spain, concluding a successful participation at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and making a debut at the startup-focused 4 Years From Now (4YFN) 2026 event. This initiative enabled Hong Kong tech firms to access overseas markets, showcase their research and development strengths, and demonstrate the city's role as a leading international innovation and technology hub.
The delegation effectively highlighted Hong Kong's innovative solutions across Connectivity, Devices and Systems, Digital Transformation, and Ecosystem Partners, successfully engaging global industry leaders and investors to generate business collaboration, technology co-development, and investment opportunities. Iris Wong, Director, Merchandise Trade and Innovation at HKTDC, stated that Hong Kong is committed to developing into an international innovation centre, actively promoting cross-industry integration and driving high-quality development through technological innovation. She noted the industry's competitive edge in 5G/6G applications and AI integration, with the dual-pavilion layout at MWC and 4YFN helping expand into European and global business opportunities.
Derek Chim, Head of Startup Ecosystem and Development at HKSTP, emphasized that MWC and 4YFN bring together the world's most influential stakeholders across connectivity and innovation ecosystems. The dual-zone presence provided Hong Kong innovators with a global stage to validate solutions, gain visibility, and drive business traction, with HKSTP continuing to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and bring Hong Kong's research excellence to Europe and beyond. A series of dialogues and exchanges, including networking receptions, themed talks, and pitching sessions, were held at the pavilions and attracted enthusiastic response.
These events highlighted the dynamism of Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem to European audiences while enabling participants to understand the city's unique advantages as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder." This positions Hong Kong as a strategic springboard for international companies entering Asian markets while enabling local and mainland Chinese firms to leverage this edge to expand globally. Following his visit to the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, Alejandro Gallego, International Business Director of AMEC, noted that the pavilions were highly inspirational, with exhibiting companies showcasing exceptionally innovative technological solutions, leading to conversations exploring concrete collaboration opportunities.
Jacobo Pérez-Soba, Manager of the Internationalisation Department at Madrid Chamber of Commerce & Industry, observed that the solutions and services provided by Hong Kong companies are highly forward-looking and demonstrate outstanding technological advancement. He also learned about upcoming tech events in Hong Kong, expected to be of significant interest to Spanish companies and startups. As 2026 marks the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, with technological innovation as a national priority, HKTDC continues to collaborate with HKSTP to support local tech firms in "going global" through jointly organizing the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion.
This collaboration accelerates Hong Kong's innovation and technology development by building a vibrant, internationally competitive ecosystem and fostering new quality productive forces. The participating companies showcased solutions ranging from connectivity and digital transformation to devices and systems, with entities like Entoptica Limited, FreightAmigo Services Limited, and AIGM Limited demonstrating Hong Kong's diverse technological capabilities. More information about HKSTP is available at https://www.hkstp.org.
