HKTDC Annual Report 2015/16 Tabled In Legco

6 July 2016 – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today tabled its Annual Report 2015/16 in the Legislative Council. The Annual Report covers the second year of the HKTDC’s current three-year planning cycle, during which the Council continued to focus on three main objectives: helping Hong Kong companies capitalise on the opportunities arising from the new global economic order, promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s global business platform, and enhancing the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Chairman’s reflections
Looking back on his first year as HKTDC Chairman, Vincent HS Lo, said the challenging external trading environment had adversely affected Hong Kong’s exports and consumer and investor confidence. “Against this backdrop, the HKTDC focused on Hong Kong’s core strengths to help create opportunities for the business community, and to promote its services and products in developed and emerging markets,” said Mr Lo. He also highlighted the opportunities for Hong Kong arising from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the HKTDC’s efforts to establish Hong Kong as the ideal business hub for the Initiative.

During the 2015/16 financial year, the HKTDC staged its mega promotion, Think Asia, Think Hong Kong, in Toronto, Canada and Chicago, the United States, attracting over 3,300 North American business leaders. The Council also organised its first combined products and services promotion In Style • Hong Kong in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as major promotional activities in cities across the Chinese mainland. “We continued to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to reinforce the global relevance of Hong Kong. While deepening our penetration of mature markets in North America, Japan and Europe, we also made inroads into emerging markets in the ASEAN and South Asia regions,” Mr Lo said.

HKTDC at 50: Promoting Hong Kong’s city brand
HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong highlighted the Council’s work in promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s global business hub, lifestyle trendsetter and the platform for investment flows into and out of the Chinese mainland. “In Hong Kong, we continued to draw a growing number of international and mainland visitors to our 30-plus world-class trade fairs and industry conferences, establishing Hong Kong as a focal point for these industries and sectors and contributing to the economic activity of our city,” said Ms Fong. The HKTDC’s flagship services events attracted a growing international audience, while its internationally renowned fairs became more prominent brand-promotion platforms.

“We continued to position Hong Kong as a value-adding gateway between the mainland and the world – highlighting the tripartite benefits for mainland companies “going out”, for international companies wishing to access the mainland and Asia, and for Hong Kong intermediaries who can facilitate business deals,” Ms Fong said. As 2016 marks the HKTDC’s 50^th anniversary, Ms Fong invited the Hong Kong community to celebrate the city’s enterprising spirit and look forward to a new and exciting future.

Exploring new opportunities and connecting business
In response to the growing momentum of the Belt and Road Initiative, the HKTDC introduced a number of  elements to its events including seminars, networking activities and business matching.  The Council launched a Belt and Road portal (www.beltandroad.hk) with up-to-date information on related markets and projects as well as an advisory service to help companies make informed business decisions.

Meanwhile, business delegations were organised throughout the year to destinations along the Belt and Road routes in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). During the year, the Council opened new Consultant Offices in Tel Aviv, Israel and Delhi, India, expanding its global network to 46 offices worldwide.

On the mainland, business missions were organised for different sectors in target markets including Qingdao (shipping) and Dalian (wine), while the Style Hong Kong Show was staged in Zhengzhou. Four new Design Gallery outlets, promoting Hong Kong brands and designs, were opened in Dalian, Guangzhou, Suzhou and Ningbo.

Smart support to SMEs
To facilitate companies to seize opportunities from e-commerce and the rapidly changing digital era, the HKTDC enhanced the online-to-offline (O2O) sourcing experience to connect buyers and suppliers. Thematic e-magazines helped buyers source new products, while the new features were added to facilitate sourcing via digital and mobile devices. The HKTDC set up new localised social media accounts for its offices in Australia, India, Indonesia, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates as well as one in Spanish, linking local business communities to their global counterparts.

An online, interactive version of the HKTDC’s Annual Report 2015/16 is available, with videos, multimedia graphics and other interactive features. The Annual Report can be downloaded at http://info.hktdc.com/annualreport2016 and is also available for viewing on mobile devices.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

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.