Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK), the flagship event organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on January 8, 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event, designed to deepen trade and investment between Indonesia and Hong Kong, drew over 2,000 participants, including government officials, business leaders, and industry experts.
Fostering Bilateral Collaboration for Economic Growth
The full-day symposium welcomed over 1,500 attendees, while the evening gala dinner saw 400 leaders from political and business communities gather for dialogue and networking. Key figures such as Dr. Peter K N Lam, Chairman of HKTDC; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government; and Dr. Edi Prio Pambudi, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation, underscored the significance of the event.
Dr. Peter K N Lam highlighted Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, trade, logistics, and professional services while showcasing emerging opportunities in innovation and sustainability.
Paul Chan emphasized Hong Kong’s unique “one country, two systems” framework, enabling businesses to access both Mainland China and international markets. He also discussed the opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Dr. Edi Prio Pambudi pointed to Indonesia’s vision of becoming an advanced economy by 2045, emphasizing collaboration with Hong Kong as crucial for achieving this goal. He noted Hong Kong’s role as a leading investor and innovator in supporting Indonesia’s diversified and resilient economy.
Exploring Opportunities in Key Sectors
The symposium focused on Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector linking Mainland China, Indonesia, and the broader ASEAN region. Discussions spanned diverse sectors, including finance, smart city development, sustainability, and innovation.
Plenary Session Highlights
Prominent speakers shared insights on regional economic growth:
- Bernard Charnwut Chan (Chairman, Asia Financial Holdings Ltd.)
- Guy Bradley (Chairman, Swire Pacific Limited)
- Kenneth Hui (Executive Director, Hong Kong Monetary Authority)
- Shinta Widjaja Kamdani (CEO, Sintesa Group)
- Rex Sham (Co-Founder, Insight Robotics Limited)
These experts discussed global economic trends, highlighting Hong Kong’s pivotal role in fostering collaboration and sustainable growth across ASEAN.
Thematic Sessions on Emerging Opportunities
Four focused sessions explored pressing industry topics:
- RMB Opportunities in International Trade
Co-hosted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, this session examined how Hong Kong facilitates RMB adoption in trade, enhancing partnerships between Mainland China and Indonesia. - Building for the Future
Supported by Cyberport, this session showcased Hong Kong’s PropTech advancements, including AI and IoT integration, contributing to urban efficiency and decarbonization. - Hong Kong as a Supply Chain Hub
Co-organized with Invest Hong Kong, this session emphasized Hong Kong’s strategic importance in global supply chains and its robust support for multinational companies. - Innovations in Green Technology
Highlighting groundbreaking green-tech solutions, this session explored opportunities for sustainable development in Indonesia and along the Belt and Road Initiative.
Facilitating Business Collaboration
The InnoVenture Salon exhibition featured cutting-edge solutions from Hong Kong start-ups, including:
- Ambit Geospatial Solution Limited
- Leapstack International Limited
- One Energy (HK) Limited
The Business Support Zone provided consultations for businesses aiming to establish operations in Hong Kong, with over 200 business-matching meetings fostering partnerships between Indonesian and Hong Kong companies.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board added cultural flavor with its Hong Kong Café, where guests enjoyed iconic snacks like milk tea and egg waffles, reflecting Hong Kong’s East-meets-West charm.
Strengthening Relationships at the Gala Dinner
The Hong Kong Dinner, held at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, celebrated the strengthened ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia. Key attendees included:
- Paul Chan (Hong Kong SAR Financial Secretary)
- Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri (Vice Minister of Trade, Indonesia)
- H.E. Wang Lutong (Ambassador of China to Indonesia)
The gala provided an ideal platform for fostering dialogue and future collaboration between the two regions.
Looking Ahead
The success of Think Business, Think Hong Kong 2024 underscores the strong potential for Indonesia-Hong Kong partnerships. By leveraging Hong Kong’s connectivity and expertise, businesses in both regions are poised to drive sustainable economic growth and innovation.
For more information on upcoming TBTHK events, visit HKTDC.
