Hong Kong Trade Development Council Brings Business Promotion Campaign to Milan to Strengthen Italy-Asia Economic Ties

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host its 13th Think Business, Think Hong Kong promotion campaign at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on November 27, marking the event's return to Italy since 2014. This initiative comes amid evolving global economic dynamics and focuses on emerging growth markets including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regions, and Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis development. The event provides Italian companies with strategic opportunities to explore Asian markets, establish partnerships, and foster cross-border collaboration.

Following successful editions in Paris and Jakarta, the Milan event will feature approximately 80 representatives from Hong Kong, including government officials, business leaders, innovators, investors, and startup entrepreneurs. These participants will engage in dialogue, networking, and partnership-building activities with Italian firms seeking Asian market expansion. High-profile speakers include Prof Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, along with representatives from both Hong Kong and Italian governments. Notable industry leaders scheduled to share insights include Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of The Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and Jebsen Group; Bernard Chan, Chairman of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Bonnie Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Claudio de Bedin, Partner of Justin Chow & de Bedin Solicitors LLP; and Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.

The program features four thematic sessions addressing strategic collaboration areas between Hong Kong and Italy. The Finance and Trade session examines global economic trends, Hong Kong's role as a trade hub, digital trade initiatives, and plans for establishing trade corridors connecting Italy, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland. Innovation and Technology discussions explore artificial intelligence developments, green technology, industrial digitalization, and smart city solutions, featuring case studies demonstrating promising sectors for Italian businesses expanding in Asia. Supply Chain Service sessions highlight corporate treasury centers' strategic role in strengthening supply chain functions to support Italian business growth within Asia's dynamic markets. Creative and Design sessions focus on collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and Italian design, lifestyle, manufacturing excellence, fashion, art, and luxury sectors where Italian creativity intersects with Asia's cultural vibrancy.

Italy represents a significant trading and investment partner for Hong Kong, with bilateral trade reaching US$8.3 billion in 2024, positioning Italy as Hong Kong's fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union. Italy ranked as the third-largest EU investor in Hong Kong by the end of 2023, while Hong Kong served as the third most popular Asian destination for Italian investment. Hong Kong investors also maintained substantial Italian investments, making the city the third-largest Asian investor in Italy. Currently, 200 Italian companies operate in Hong Kong, particularly in fashion and luxury goods, electronics, food and beverage, and high-value professional services industries where Italian excellence receives global recognition.

Hong Kong offers Italian companies a unique global ecosystem combining competitive taxation, robust common law legal framework, strong intellectual property protection, and privileged access to Chinese Mainland and emerging Asia-Pacific markets. This combination positions Hong Kong as an ideal platform for Italian companies seeking international expansion, diversification, and strengthened presence in one of the world's most vibrant economic regions. During an October media briefing in Milan, Chris Lo, HKTDC Regional Director for Europe, emphasized Hong Kong's role as a dynamic, international ecosystem with legal certainty, tax efficiency, and direct Chinese Mainland market access, serving as an ideal bridge for Italian companies operating in Asia. Gianluca Mirante, HKTDC Director for Italy, described the campaign as accelerating strategic connections between complementary economies, providing Italian companies with reliable partnership opportunities for innovation, growth, and international expansion. Additional event information is available at https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html.