Hong Kong Returns to Milan to Strengthen Business Ties with Italy, Survey Shows Strong Asian Expansion Interest

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host its Think Business, Think Hong Kong flagship promotion campaign at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on November 27, marking the event's first return to Italy since 2014. The event is expected to gather over 700 business leaders, officials and investors to explore business and partnership opportunities in Asia via Hong Kong.

The timing coincides with rapid evolution in global business landscapes and growth in markets such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as opportunities arising from Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis initiative. The event will offer Italian businesses opportunities to explore new markets, build partnerships and foster collaboration across Asia.

Following successful recent editions in Paris and Jakarta, TBTHK Milan will gather approximately 80 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, business and creative industry leaders, financial and professional services providers, investors and start-up entrepreneurs, along with executives from Chinese Mainland companies based in Hong Kong. The event will highlight 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.

The programme features an opening session with Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan and HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma, along with an Italian government representative. A plenary session will include high-profile speakers from various industries, including West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Chairman Bernard Chan, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited CEO Bonnie Chan, and Insilico Medicine Founder and CEO Alex Zhavoronkov.

Five thematic sessions will focus on strategic areas reflecting shared priorities between Hong Kong and Italy. Digital Trade and Finance will highlight global economic and digital transformation trends, while Innovation and Technology will explore Hong Kong's role as a testbed for AI, robotics and smart city solutions. The Global Supply Chain session will showcase Hong Kong's drive for innovation through European partnerships, and Creative and Design sessions will feature master designers and emerging talents.

Beyond the symposium, the TBTHK programme includes an exhibition comprising the Business Support Zone and InnoVenture Salon, where over 20 Hong Kong service providers and start-ups will showcase innovative services and technologies. One-on-one business consultations and on-site business matching will facilitate deals between Italian and Hong Kong companies, concluding with a Hong Kong Dinner for further networking.

A joint survey by HKTDC and the Italy China Council Foundation reveals that 77% of surveyed Italian businesses are strongly committed to expanding in Asia, citing the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong as priority markets. The research, conducted in Q3 2025 covering 172 Italian C-suite and senior business leaders, found that 93% of respondents believe Hong Kong can effectively support their Asian expansion plans over the next three years.

Italy represents an important trading and investment partner for Hong Kong, with bilateral trade reaching US$8.3 billion in 2024. This positions Italy as Hong Kong's fourth-largest EU trading partner and export market, and its third-largest EU import market. As of end-2023, Hong Kong was the third most popular destination for Italian investment in Asia, while Hong Kong investors ranked as the third-largest Asian investor in Italy.

The sectors recording the most trading activity include fashion and luxury goods, electronics, food and beverages, and high-value professional services industries. Hong Kong's business ecosystem combines competitive taxation, a robust legal framework based on common law, strong intellectual property protection and privileged access to the Chinese Mainland and emerging Asia-Pacific markets. For more information about the event, visit https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html.