For Long Beach companies eyeing international expansion, the recently concluded 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong provided a blueprint for unlocking new business potential. The two-day event, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), drew over 6,200 political and business leaders from more than 70 countries and regions. It showcased over 300 investment projects, arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, and facilitated over 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The Summit focused on business globalisation, new market opportunities, and cross-regional cooperation, underscoring Hong Kong's role as a super connector and super value-adder.
For Long Beach, a city whose port is a critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Summit's emphasis on emerging markets in ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East signals new avenues for local importers, exporters, and logistics firms. The first-ever GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for enterprises looking to expand overseas, featuring thematic sessions, a GoGlobal Connect Zone, roundtable discussions, and a business study mission. During the Summit, Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd. signed an MoU with Deloitte Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited to collaborate on going global. Chen Li, President of Shaanxi TIRAIN, noted, "Given the current global economic climate, going global is a natural choice for us." Such partnerships highlight the professional services available to companies navigating international compliance and market entry.
The Summit also deepened ties with Central Asia and the Middle East. Building on Chief Executive John Lee's visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and Zone brought together government officials and business leaders. Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, said, "Kazakhstan has a strong aerospace foundation... We are developing a satellite system and digital platform for agriculture, land use, emergency response, and resource management." These projects could open doors for Long Beach technology and engineering firms. Meanwhile, the Middle East Chapter and sessions on Africa and Latin America provided insights into markets with growing demand for infrastructure and consumer goods. Enver Iskurt, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkiye, presented the Ankara-Istanbul super speed railway project, stating, "Hong Kong-based investors, financial institutions, and engineering firms can play an active role at every stage of our projects."
The Summit facilitated over 300 investment projects valued at more than US$5.4 billion, with MoUs including one involving Jabal Asset Management LLC of Oman. Issa Al Battashi, Managing Director, remarked, "We feel that the Summit as a whole is an opportunity to connect capital, institutions and retail investors across these markets." For Long Beach businesses, these developments represent potential partnerships and investment opportunities. The ASEAN Market Day attracted 340 SMEs, offering consultation sessions with HKTDC's ASEAN offices. The HKTDC plans further events like GoGBA Development Day and African Market Day. Follow-up activities include the Belt and Road Deal-Making online from 14-15 September and the Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable 2026. For more information, visit HKTDC. As global trade evolves, Long Beach's economic vitality may increasingly depend on such international connections.
