MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Hong Kong is considered by many Italian companies, increasingly oriented towards Asia, a priority market and a strategic business partner. Observing the general picture, the opportunities for the Hong Kong PMS appear considerable. In particular, 77% of Italian companies expect to expand in Asia over the next three years, indicating mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and India as favorite markets. If you look at the sectors, 95% of Italian innovation and technology companies intend to expand in Asia, followed by 88% of health and 86% of retail/ wholesale trade. This data is aligned with Hong Kong’s new industrial strategy, focusing on innovation and technology, life science and healthtech, as well as numerous e-commerce initiatives. This is what emerges from a new report “The priorities for Asian expansion of Italian companies: sectors of innovation, health and retail”, jointly created by Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a statutory body founded in 1966 with the aim of promoting, assisting and developing Hong Kong’s global trade and a benchmark platform for promoting SMEs in their global market expansion.
The report was presented in Milan, at Palazzo Mezzanotte, headquarters of the Italian Stock Exchange, on the occasion of the international event Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK), organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote bilateral trade and investment with Italy. With the first return to Italy after the 2014 edition, the symposium brought together over 90 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, business and creative leaders, financial and professional service operators, investors, start-ups and entrepreneurs from mainland China based in Hong Kong, for a day of dialogue, networking and partnership with Italian companies interested in expanding in Asia. According to the report made by HKTDC and ICCF, the expansion forecasts of Italian companies would help to further strengthen the strong economic relations between Italy and Hong Kong. In 2024, trade between Italy and Hong Kong reached US$8.3 billion, placing our country as the EU’s fourth trading partner for Hong Kong and the third EU import market. Also, in 2024, there were around 200 Italian companies active in Hong Kong. In the opening session of Think Business, Think Hong Kong spoke Paul Chan, Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary, and Prof. Frederick Ma, Chairman, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, while Valentino Valentini, Vice Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy sent a video message.
“For HKTDC, facilitating partnerships is at the heart of what we do. Partnerships generate innovation. And innovation fuels growth and expansion. We help businesses, large and small, realize their growth and expansion plans, wherever they are: in China, Asia and beyond,” said Prof. Frederick Ma. “Recognized as one of the world’s leading international financial hubs, Hong Kong offers numerous and interesting opportunities to Italian companies, both in traditional and innovative sectors. Just like Italy, Hong Kong is strongly focused on innovation and technology. This includes fintech, greentech, AI and smart city creation, creative industry and much more. I see a great potential for collaboration.”.
During the day some of the motivations that make Hong Kong a particularly interesting destination for Italian companies were highlighted. It is, first of all, a global trading platform with 9,960 multinational companies, 1.410 regional offices, and 73 of the 100 largest global banks operating in Hong Kong; in 2025, the city recorded an increase of exports of +10.9% in the first eight months, with the most lively IPO market in the world, conquering the first place in fundraising through quotations; The tax system is among the most competitive in the world: tax on profits to 8,25% up to 2 million HKD, no tax on capital gain, dividends, VAT, nor inheritance taxes; Hong Kong has signed 53 agreements to avoid double taxation with 33 economies, offering a stable, transparent and favourable legal environment for foreign investment; The common law legal system and the protection of intellectual property are international, ensuring security and certainty for investments and technological development; Hong Kong is a global fintech hub, with over 1,100 Web3 companies, 230 virtual banks, and various authorized digital asset platforms; state-of-the-art government policies support digital innovation, including mobile payments, digital currencies and asset tokenization; the city is confirmed international hub for trade, thanks to nine free trade agreements with 21 economies and 24 bilateral investment agreements, facilitating access to strategic markets.
After the opening session, Think Hong Kong’s plenary session examined global economic trends, the evolution of the role of Hong Kong’s financial markets and the deep integration with mainland China that continues to provide international companies, including Italian companies, a competitive advantage in access to Asian growth. The discussion involved leading figures from the international business community to understand how Hong Kong continues to form the strategic gateway to Asia. Chaired by Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman, Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and Chairman of the Jebsen Group, the discussion hosted the speeches of Bernard Chan, Chairman, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and President of Asia Financial Holdings Limited; Bonnie Chan, CEO, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Claudio de Bedin, Partner, Justin Chow & de Bedin Solicitors LLP; Fabio De Rosa, Head of Global Transaction Banking, Banco BPM; and Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.
In line with the changing priorities of both economies, the next five thematic sessions touched four strategic areas. The Digital Trade and Finance session, organised in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, explored the way technology is redefining cross-border trade and financial flows. He also illustrated how platforms such as distributed register trading solutions and business data exchange systems are improving efficiency, transparency and access to finance, offering new routes for commercial collaboration between Italy and Hong Kong.
The parallel Innovation and Technology session, supported by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, focused on smart city innovation and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence technologies in Asia, illustrating how Italian companies can interact with the flourishing Hong Kong innovation ecosystem. After networking lunch, the Global Supply Chain session, organised in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong, examined how Hong Kong’s capital markets and business treasury systems are leading global supply chain transformation. The discussion highlighted the role of Hong Kong as a hub for the digitization of the supply chain, the green logistics and the partnerships in the field of advanced manufacturing production.
There were two sessions dedicated to Creative and Design, one of which met established Italian and Hong Kong architects and designers, including Steve Leung, Founder of Steve Leung Design Group; Andrea Ponti, Founder and Design Director of Ponti Design Studio Limited; and Dr Rocco Yim, Principal, Rocco Design Architects Associates Limited. During the second meeting, organized in collaboration with Hong Kong Design Centre and Hong Kong Designers Association, we discussed how Hong Kong and Italy, two global centers of creativity, can co-design new opportunities in architecture, lifestyle, luxury and cultural innovation. Participants analyzed how the synergy between Italian craftsmanship and Hong Kong’s cultural liveliness can open new markets throughout Asia. Parallel to the symposium, TBTHK has favored business matching meetings in the presence, individual consultations and dedicated networking opportunities.
During the event, participants also visited the InnoVenture Salon and the Business Support Zone, an exhibition area with exhibitors from Hong Kong, including start-ups and representatives of government agencies, accounting and corporate services companies, logistics operators, law firms and many other sectors. These areas offered the opportunity for Italian companies to get in touch with experts based in Hong Kong, deepen services, solutions and innovative technologies and strengthen cross-border collaboration. After the symposium, Hong Kong Dinner was held in Paris Palace, attended by representatives of Hong Kong and Italy business communities.
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