HKTDC Hosts SME Market Day in Vietnam

	More than 300 people from a range of sectors in the Vietnamese business community attend the “SME Market Day” Business Symposium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  Underlining the promising business potential between Vietnam and Hong Kong, the event organised by the HKTDC and Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) took place in Ho Chi Minh City on 24 June 2016
	HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong delivers welcoming remarks at the ”SME Market Day” Business Symposium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 24 June 2016
	HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong presents souvenirs to Le Manh Ha (right), Vice Chairman of Government Office, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Tran Vinh Tuyen (left) Deputy Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, in thanks for their support of the 24 June 2016 “SME Market Day” Business Symposium
	Senior Vietnamese officials, business leaders and HKTDC representatives pose for a group photo at the start of the business symposium at “SME Market Day” in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 24 June 2016. Seated in the front row (from left): Cao Thi Phi Van, Deputy Director, Investment Trade Promotion Center, Ho Chi  Minh City; Lam Minh Huy, Board Member, Vietnam Association of Consumer Goods Development; Tran Thi Hieu Hanh, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Department, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Le Manh Ha, Vice Chairman, Government Office, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC; Tran Vinh Tuyen, Deputy Chairman People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Raymond Yip, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC; Pham Xuan Hong, Chairman, Association of Garment-Textile-Embroidery-Knitting in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam; and Khuu Thi Thuy, General Secretary, Association of Garment-Textile-Embroidery-Knitting in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

28 June 2016 – Hong Kong’s advantages as a springboard for Vietnamese businesses to expand overseas were explored at a seminar held last Friday in Vietnam’s largest city. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, “HKTDC SME Market Day” took place at The Reverie Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City.

The half-day forum offered participants insights on some of Hong Kong’s key professional services sectors, such as logistics, branding and arbitration. Speakers included Samuel Lau, Executive Director of Kerry Logistics Networks; John Choong, Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; as well as Rodney Tam, Founder and Executive Creative Director of Triangle Marketing Services Co.

Among the topics explored were how Vietnamese companies can use the Hong Kong platform to expand their business in Asia and beyond, by tapping the city’s expertise in logistics distribution, marketing, and arbitration services. The second part of the session discussed how Vietnamese SMEs can expand to overseas markets using HKTDC services.

In her opening remarks, Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC said the “SME Market Day” was organised to learn more about the business opportunities in Vietnam and encourage Vietnamese companies to take advantage of the HKTDC’s services to connect with partners in Hong Kong. She highlighted the Council’s comprehensive four-in-one business platform comprising trade fairs, publications, online marketplace and mobile apps.

The “SME Market Day” seminar featured market analysis from the heads of three HKTDC Regional Offices, namely, Regional Director for Europe Stephen Wong, Regional Director for the Americas Ralph Chow and Director, Japan, Susan Lam. They shared insights on how Vietnamese companies can leverage the HKTDC to develop their business in the respective markets.

Vietnam is Hong Kong’s fifth-largest export market. Trade between the two economies reached US$9.8 billion in 2015, with imports totaling US$ 6.5 billion, a 19.8 per cent increase from the previous year.

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.