The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host its 13th Think Business, Think Hong Kong promotion campaign at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on November 27, marking the event's return to Italy since 2014. This initiative gains significance as Italian businesses seek to navigate the rapidly evolving global landscape and tap into new growth markets including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and opportunities from Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis initiative.
The event brings together approximately 80 representatives from Hong Kong, including government officials, business leaders, innovators, investors, and startup entrepreneurs for a day of dialogue and partnership-building with Italian companies looking to expand into Asian markets. High-profile speakers include Prof Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, along with representatives from both Hong Kong and Italian governments, and industry leaders such as Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of The Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and Jebsen Group; Bernard Chan, Chairman of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Bonnie Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Claudio de Bedin, Partner of Justin Chow & de Bedin Solicitors LLP; and Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.
Four thematic sessions will provide practical collaboration opportunities across strategic areas. The Finance and Trade session will highlight global economic trends, Hong Kong's role as a trade hub, digital trade initiatives, and plans to build trade corridors linking Italy, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland. Innovation and Technology sessions will explore AI developments, greentech, industrial digitalisation, and smart city solutions. Supply Chain Service discussions will focus on corporate treasury centers strengthening supply chain functions to support Italian business growth in Asia's dynamic markets. Creative and Design sessions will promote collaboration between Hong Kong and Italian design, lifestyle, manufacturing, fashion, art, and luxury sectors.
The event's importance is underscored by strong Italy-Hong Kong economic ties. In 2024, trade between Italy and Hong Kong reached US$8.3 billion, positioning Italy as Hong Kong's fourth-largest trading partner in the EU. Italy was the third-largest EU investor in Hong Kong at the end of 2023, while Hong Kong ranked as the third most popular Asian destination for Italian investment. Currently, 200 Italian companies operate in Hong Kong across dynamic sectors including fashion and luxury goods, electronics, food and beverage, and high-value professional services.
Hong Kong offers Italian companies a unique global ecosystem featuring competitive taxation, a robust common law legal framework, strong intellectual property protection, and privileged access to the Chinese Mainland and emerging Asia-Pacific markets. This combination makes Hong Kong an ideal platform for Italian companies seeking international expansion and diversification in one of the world's most vibrant regions. For more information about the event, visit https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html.
Chris Lo, HKTDC Regional Director for Europe, emphasized Hong Kong's position as a dynamic, international ecosystem with legal certainty, tax efficiency, and direct access to the Chinese Mainland market, serving as an ideal bridge for Italian companies operating in Asia. Gianluca Mirante, HKTDC Director for Italy, described the campaign as accelerating strategic connections between two complementary economies, providing Italian companies with a reliable partner for innovation, growth, and international expansion while fostering collaboration in key areas including innovation, finance, and sustainable development.
