HKTDC “In Style • Hong Kong” Opens in Ho Chi Minh City

20 September 2018 – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) launched its international mega-promotions “In Style • Hong Kong Symposium” and “In Style • Hong Kong Expo” at GEM Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam today. Senior officials from Vietnam, as well as Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of the HKTDC, officiated at the symposium opening.

“For decades Hong Kong has been a partner to Vietnam in many ways,” Mr Lo said. “As the world’s focus falls on Asia, now is the time to deepen our partnership and expand our collaboration.” He added that there will be more opportunities to expand not only the flows in trade and investment, but also in talent, expertise and social and cultural aspects.

"Over the past five years, merchandise trade between Hong Kong and Vietnam has grown, on average, almost 10% a year. There’s also a strong Hong Kong business community in Vietnam, ranging from garment manufacturing to property development and investment banking," said Mr Chan. He also underlined Hong Kong's strengths as the world’s leading financial centre in Asia, and highlighted that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area Development creates additional opportunities for Hong Kong as well as the countries and companies that work with the city.

Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and Le Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, were guests of honour at the event. “‘In Style • Hong Kong’ 2018 attracts Hong Kong and Vietnam businesses participants in. This is the vivid evidence that we both attach great focus on economic cooperation between Hong Kong and Vietnam,” said the Deputy Minister.

Mr Le Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City remarked: “I believe that with the ‘In Style • Hong Kong’ event, we will not only know more about Hong Kong’s prestigious, quality products and brands, but we will also have opportunities to enhance trade connectivity and promote and create a platform for collaborative development, not only on the economic side but also in other aspects such as culture and society.”

Hong Kong-Vietnam: Partnering for Prosperity

The symposium promoted Hong Kong’s multi-faceted advantages as a regional hub in Asia and spotlighted the city’s strength in professional services. Moderated by HKTDC Director of Research Nicholas Kwan, the main symposium featured Hong Kong business leaders including Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group, John Cheh, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Esquel Group, and Wallace Lam, Managing Director, Co-head of Global Banking, HSBC Hong Kong, who shared practical insights on the opportunities presented by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and discussed how both regions could collaborate to stay competitive and expand their global businesses together.

The thematic sessions highlighted opportunities in cross-border e-commerce and discussed how Hong Kong’s strengths in logistics services, as well as creative design, branding strategy and licensing solutions, can help Vietnamese enterprises upgrade their business in Asia.

To meet growing demand from Vietnamese companies, a Business Support Zone was set up where 11 Hong Kong services providers from various fields – including design and branding, accounting, logistics, information technology, architecture and management consultancy – delivered free on-site business consultation services to participants from Vietnam and other ASEAN countries.

The two-day “In Style • Hong Kong Expo” (20-21 Sept) connects importers, distributors, retailers, e-tailers, mail-order houses, department stores and specialised shops in Vietnam and neighbouring ASEAN countries with Hong Kong companies. Product zones include Activewear and Fashion, Gourmet and Delicacies, Fashion Accessories, Premium Houseware, Gifts and Toys, Fine Jewellery, Electronics, and Watches and Clocks.

Close Ties between Hong Kong and Vietnam

Vietnam is Hong Kong’s largest export market among ASEAN members and sixth-largest export market globally, taking in US$10.2 billion worth of exports from the city in 2017. Vietnam was also Hong Kong’s 10^th-largest trading partner in 2017 and the first seven months of 2018. Last year, trade volume between Vietnam and Hong Kong amounted to US$18.11 billion, an 11.7% increase year-on-year. Key areas of Hong Kong and Vietnam cooperation include manufacturing, logistics, food and seafood processing, hotels and hospitality.

Event websites:
In Style  •  Hong Kong Website: www.instyle-hk.com 
In Style  •  Hong Kong Symposium and Speakers’ List: symposium.instyle-hk.com 
In Style  •  Hong Kong Expo and Exhibitors List: expo.instyle-hk.com 
In Style  •  Hong Kong Citywide Promotion: citywide.instyle-hk.com

Media Enquiries
For further media enquiries, please contact:
Nguyen Thieu (Vietnam)           Tel: +84-28-38235883                Email: nguyen.thieu@hktdc.org
Banbi Chen (Hong Kong)          Tel: +852 2584 4525                  Email: banbi.yc.chen@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong's businesses. With 50 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With more than 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing business insights and information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.