The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) hosted its flagship overseas promotion, Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK), in Kuala Lumpur on August 11, drawing some 1,600 business leaders from Malaysia and Hong Kong. The event aimed to connect Malaysian companies with capital, expertise, and opportunities for regional expansion, particularly into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the wider Chinese mainland market.
The symposium featured over 200 government and business leaders, start-up entrepreneurs, and professional service providers from Hong Kong, marking a historic high. More than 300 tailored business matching meetings were arranged to help Malaysian firms find suitable Hong Kong partners for international growth. The event also saw the signing of 10 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Hong Kong service providers and Malaysian businesses, underscoring deepening collaboration.
Hong Kong as a strategic gateway
In his welcome remarks, HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma emphasized the value of trusted connections amid geopolitical uncertainty and technological change. He noted that TBTHK, first launched in 2011, serves as a platform for expanding networks and forging new partnerships. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau, highlighted Hong Kong’s expertise in helping Malaysian companies navigate the Chinese mainland market, citing the city’s long experience in trade facilitation. He also mentioned the GoGlobal Task Force, established last year to support mainland enterprises in going overseas, including into Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, YB Loke Siew Fook, stressed the importance of connectivity, noting that Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong are under four hours apart by flight and share the same time zone. He pointed to Hong Kong International Airport’s status as a major cargo gateway and Port Klang’s strategic location on global shipping lanes, making the corridor vital for time-sensitive exports like electronics and semiconductors. Loke also expressed hope for more events of TBTHK’s caliber in Malaysia to foster business discussions and future collaborations.
Key sessions and themes
The programme included a plenary session chaired by Lincoln Pan, CEO of Jardine Matheson Holdings, with speakers such as Bonnie Y Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, and Tan Sri Dato’ David Chiu of Far East Consortium. They discussed Asia’s evolving business landscape and how companies can capture emerging regional opportunities. Four thematic sessions explored areas of collaboration, including the growing role of the Renminbi in trade and investment, with Hong Kong positioned as the world’s leading offshore RMB hub. Another session, supported by Hong Kong Cyberport, focused on green finance and climate technology, highlighting Hong Kong’s role in connecting green capital and innovation across the region.
A session co-organized with Invest Hong Kong examined strategic resilience, showing how companies can use Hong Kong as a base for regional expansion amid changing global dynamics. Another, co-organized with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, addressed accelerating the global expansion of life and health technologies through ecosystem collaboration. These sessions reflected Malaysia’s growing strategic importance in ASEAN and the evolving priorities of businesses in the region.
Exhibition and cultural highlights
The event featured an InnoVenture Salon where 30 Hong Kong service providers and start-ups showcased their products, alongside a Business Support Zone. Over 300 one-on-one consultations and business matching sessions facilitated deals between Malaysian and Hong Kong companies. The Hong Kong Tourism Board also brought a taste of the city’s culinary culture, offering samples from Chinesology, a Muslim-friendly fine-dining restaurant, and Bar Leone, an award-winning bar, highlighting Hong Kong’s creativity and hospitality.
The symposium was part of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Economic Trade and Express initiative, which encourages Hong Kong SMEs and startups to explore overseas business opportunities while attracting foreign investment into Hong Kong. The event concluded with a luncheon hosted by Mr Yau and Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Finance, YB Liew Chin Tong, attended by over 300 prominent guests from government and business sectors.
