HKTDC Launches GoGlobal Connect to Facilitate Mainland Enterprises' International Expansion Through Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has launched GoGlobal Connect, a strategic initiative designed to help mainland Chinese enterprises expand internationally through Hong Kong's professional services platform. This development addresses the growing demand from mainland companies seeking global expansion, with 83% of surveyed enterprises planning to leverage Hong Kong's professional services according to recent HKTDC research, a significant increase from 62% in 2023. The initiative leverages the HKTDC's 51 offices worldwide to strengthen connections between mainland enterprises and Hong Kong's professional service providers while enhancing Hong Kong's role as an international business platform.

The launch ceremony was officiated by Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC. Professor Ma emphasized Hong Kong's position as the world's fifth-largest merchandise trading economy in 2025 according to World Trade Organization data, reflecting the strong resilience of Hong Kong's external trade and reaffirming its status as an international trade center. He noted that through GoGlobal Connect, the HKTDC will leverage Hong Kong's strengths in internationally oriented professional services to lower the threshold for mainland enterprises to go global and support their steady overseas expansion.

GoGlobal Connect provides support in four key areas: establishing a cross-sectoral professional services platform that brings together providers from eight key sectors; setting up GoGlobal Connect zones at HKTDC's flagship events for on-site consultations; incorporating GoGlobal Connect elements into trade promotion activities in mainland China; and leveraging the HKTDC's global network to strengthen market connections. The service will also be available at the HKTDC SME Service Centre. Secretary Yau highlighted that the Task Force will continue to organize promotional and matchmaking events across different sectoral themes in Hong Kong and mainland China while inviting mainland enterprises to join overseas business missions to gain firsthand understanding of local market situations.

A practical example of this initiative's impact comes from Yao Chenpeng, Vice President of Transfar Group, who shared his company's plans to establish an overseas business headquarters in Hong Kong. After approaching the HKTDC in July last year, the Council arranged meetings with relevant government departments, major chambers of commerce, and industry associations in Hong Kong. The HKTDC also introduced the Group to Hong Kong professional service providers to help understand incentives and procedures for establishing operations in Hong Kong. Subsequently, at the Belt and Road Summit in September last year, the HKTDC facilitated the signing of cooperation agreements, providing practical support for the Group's global expansion plans.

The Hong Kong SAR Government recently established the GoGlobal Task Force and launched a thematic website at https://www.goglobal.gov.hk in March. This website includes a link to HKTDC's cross-sectoral professional services platform, which provides one-stop information and professional support for mainland enterprises seeking to expand overseas via Hong Kong. The platform has recently enhanced its service provider database and optimized the user interface, with plans to onboard more service providers and improve matching functions in the second half of the year to deliver more comprehensive support. This initiative represents a significant step in strengthening Hong Kong's position as the preferred service platform for mainland enterprises going global while supporting China's broader economic development strategy during the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan.