On its 60th anniversary, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) unveiled two major optimizations: a corporate restructuring into industry clusters and a reconfiguration of its global network to tap high-growth emerging markets. Chairman Professor Frederick Ma announced the initiatives, emphasizing a customer-centric, industry-focused approach to help Hong Kong companies navigate geopolitical shifts, supply chain changes, and technological advancements.
The first optimization reorganizes HKTDC's functions into six sector clusters: 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 explained that this cluster approach enhances operational efficiency and sector knowledge, enabling integrated solutions. Companies can access market intelligence, exhibitions, conferences, overseas missions, investor matching, and market entry support through a single contact point.
The second optimization reallocates resources to emerging markets. HKTDC currently operates 51 offices worldwide. To capture opportunities in high-growth regions, the council will strengthen its consultant office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A new office will open in Cairo, Egypt, to bolster presence in Africa. Additionally, capabilities will be enhanced in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Santiago, Chile (also overseeing Peru) to leverage the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global South economic corridor. In ASEAN, promotional work will intensify in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, while Istanbul and Warsaw will see enhanced capabilities. Traditional markets like North America remain important, with continued two-way trade and investment promotion. The London office will expand its oversight to Nordic markets.
Professor Ma highlighted the Chief Executive's successful mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, which opened doors for Hong Kong enterprises. The optimizations align with Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and contribute to national development by leveraging Hong Kong's role as a superconnector and super value-adder. The HKTDC will continue supporting Chinese mainland enterprises going global and encourage international companies to use Hong Kong as a base for expansion. More details are available in the presentation download and photo download, as well as on the HKTDC 60th Anniversary page.
