The Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK) signature promotion, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), was held on 27 November in Milan to promote bilateral trade and investment with Italy. Returning to Italy for the first time since 2014, the event attracted over 1,000 participants, including 760 at the symposium held at Palazzo Mezzanotte, home of the Italian Stock Exchange. Over 240 leaders of the Italian, European, and Hong Kong business communities attended the Hong Kong Dinner, reaffirming the strong and growing relationship between the two economies.
The event gathered over 90 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, business and creative industry leaders, financial and professional services providers, investors, start-up entrepreneurs, and executives from Chinese Mainland companies based in Hong Kong. The symposium highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder, enabling both Hong Kong and mainland enterprises to go global and seize opportunities in Italy and across Europe.
In the Opening Session, Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan noted that the economic partnership between Hong Kong and Italy is flourishing and remarkably diverse. In 2024, bilateral merchandise trade reached EUR 7.2 billion, and some 200 Italian companies have regional headquarters, offices, or operations in Hong Kong. HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma emphasized that Hong Kong is focused on innovation and technology, covering fintech, greentech, AI, smart city development, and the creative sector, offering great potential for collaboration with Italian businesses.
The plenary session explored global economic trends, the evolving role of Hong Kong's financial markets, and deep integration with the Chinese Mainland, providing international companies with a competitive advantage in accessing Asia. Chaired by Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of the Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and Jebsen Group, the discussion featured insights from Bernard Chan, Bonnie Chan, Claudio de Bedin, Fabio De Rosa, and Alex Zhavoronkov.
Five thematic sessions covered strategic areas: Digital Trade and Finance, co-organized with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, explored how technology is reshaping cross-border trade and financial flows. The Innovation and Technology session, supported by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, focused on smart city innovation and AI-powered technologies. The Global Supply Chain session, co-organized with Invest Hong Kong, examined how Hong Kong’s capital markets drive transformation in global supply chains. Two Creative and Design sessions brought together architects and designers from Hong Kong and Italy, co-organized with the Hong Kong Design Centre and Hong Kong Designers Association.
Alongside the symposium, TBTHK facilitated over 260 on-site business matching meetings and one-on-one consultations. Participants browsed the InnoVenture Salon and Business Support Zone, featuring over 20 exhibitors from Hong Kong, including start-ups and representatives from government agencies, accounting firms, corporate services companies, logistics specialists, and legal firms. The Hong Kong Dinner, attended by over 240 business leaders and government officials, further promoted bilateral economic and cultural exchanges.
