The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has announced its support for Hong Kong's new Policy Address and the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR (2026-2030), delivered by Chief Executive John Lee. The plans, which align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, set a strategic blueprint for Hong Kong to reinforce its role as an international financial, trade, maritime and aviation centre, while focusing on innovation and technology, cultural and talent development. For businesses in Long Beach and the surrounding area, these developments signal potential shifts in global trade dynamics and opportunities for collaboration with Hong Kong, a key gateway to Asian markets.
HKTDC Chairman Professor Frederick Ma expressed full support for the initiatives, emphasizing their importance in an uncertain world. "Setting short, medium and long-term goals will help businesses set directions and remain resilient," Ma said. A central component of the HKTDC's commitment is assisting the government in expanding the city's convention and exhibition (C&E) facilities. Ma noted that while Hong Kong's position as an international trade fair capital has been enhanced over decades, the growing scale and diversity of fairs and conferences necessitate facility expansion to remain competitive. He fully supports the government's proactive measure of establishing a task force, led by the Deputy Financial Secretary, to steer the Wan Chai North Redevelopment project. The HKTDC plans to leverage its 60 years of expertise to submit a proposal on the project's development approach.
The HKTDC also welcomed measures to help Hong Kong SMEs diversify their markets, including strengthening the "E-Commerce Express" programme to promote Hong Kong brands and expand their coverage in e-commerce markets outside Hong Kong. Other welcomed measures include enhanced funding schemes and encouragement for SMEs to adopt technology. The HKTDC will step up support through its flagship fairs and conferences, such as the Asian Financial Forum, Belt and Road Summit, Business of IP Asia Forum, CENTRESTAGE and InnoEX, while helping companies access the Chinese Mainland, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and international markets.
As a core member of the Government's GoGlobal Task Force, the HKTDC's GoGlobal Connect programme supports Hong Kong's professional services to partner with mainland enterprises in developing global markets. Ma stated that the HKTDC will align with the Policy Address to further consolidate Hong Kong's role as the premier platform to go global. Measures include deepening collaboration with trade associations in Hong Kong and target markets, enhancing the matching function of the Cross-sectoral Professional Services Platform, adding ESG (environmental, social, and governance) services, and providing training for mainland enterprises and local service providers expanding to overseas markets such as Belt and Road regions in ASEAN, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The HKTDC will also leverage its 50+ offices worldwide to organize international missions and overseas Hong Kong promotions.
Ma concluded, "I am confident that the Policy Address and the First Five-Year Plan will forge a new path ahead for Hong Kong. I look forward to leading our team on this journey to create more value for our business communities across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world." For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
