Hong Kong Trade Council Brings Major Business Promotion to Milan After 11-Year Hiatus

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council 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 major business initiative comes amid evolving global economic dynamics and focuses on emerging growth markets including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, ASEAN nations, and Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis development.

Approximately 80 representatives from Hong Kong, including government officials, business leaders, innovators, and startup entrepreneurs, will participate in the day-long event designed to foster partnerships between Italian companies and Asian markets. The program features high-profile speakers including HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma, Hong Kong SAR Government representatives, Italian government officials, and industry leaders such as Hans Michael Jebsen of The Hong Kong-Europe Business Council, Bernard Chan of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and Bonnie Chan of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

The event's significance lies in strengthening economic ties between Italy and Hong Kong, which recorded US$8.3 billion in bilateral trade during 2024. Italy ranks as Hong Kong's fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union and third-largest EU investor in Hong Kong. Conversely, Hong Kong serves as the third most popular Asian destination for Italian investment and the third-largest Asian investor in Italy, with 200 Italian companies currently operating in Hong Kong.

Four thematic sessions will explore practical collaboration opportunities across strategic sectors. The Finance and Trade session will highlight Hong Kong's role as a global trade hub, digital trade initiatives, and plans for trade corridors linking Italy with Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Innovation and Technology discussions will focus on artificial intelligence developments, greentech solutions, industrial digitalization, and smart city applications relevant to Italian businesses expanding in Asia.

Supply Chain Service sessions will examine corporate treasury centers' strategic role in strengthening supply chain functions within Asia's dynamic markets. The Creative and Design segment will promote collaboration between Hong Kong and Italian design excellence across fashion, art, luxury goods, and manufacturing, leveraging Italian creativity alongside Asia's cultural vibrancy.

Hong Kong's business ecosystem offers Italian companies competitive taxation, a robust common law legal framework, strong intellectual property protection, and privileged access to Chinese Mainland and Asia-Pacific markets. This combination positions Hong Kong as an ideal platform for Italian companies seeking international expansion and market diversification in one of the world's most economically vibrant regions.

Chris Lo, HKTDC Regional Director for Europe, emphasized Hong Kong's role as a dynamic, international ecosystem during an October media briefing in Milan. He noted that with legal certainty, tax efficiency, and direct access to the Chinese Mainland market, the city serves 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 businesses with reliable partners for innovation and growth.

For event details and registration, visit https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html or register directly at https://milan.hktdc.com/index.php.