The Hong Kong Trade Development Council 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 gathering is expected to attract over 700 business leaders, officials, and investors seeking to explore partnership opportunities across Asia through Hong Kong's business ecosystem. Against the backdrop of rapidly evolving global markets and growth in regions like the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ASEAN, the event offers Italian businesses opportunities to explore new markets and build collaborative partnerships.
Approximately 80 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, business leaders, financial service providers, and startup entrepreneurs, will engage in dialogue and networking with Italian companies interested in Asian expansion. The event highlights Hong Kong's role as both a superconnector and super value-adder, enabling enterprises from Hong Kong and mainland China to expand globally while helping Italian companies access Asian markets. Opening remarks will be delivered by Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan and HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma, alongside an Italian government representative.
Five thematic sessions will provide in-depth insights into practical collaboration opportunities, covering digital trade and finance, innovation and technology, global supply chain, and creative design. Prominent speakers include Bernard Chan of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Bonnie Chan of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, and representatives from organizations including Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Invest Hong Kong, and major financial institutions. Recent survey findings conducted jointly by HKTDC and the Italy China Council Foundation reveal that 77% of surveyed Italian businesses are strongly committed to expanding in Asia, with the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong identified as priority markets.
The research, covering 172 Italian C-suite and senior business leaders, found that 93% believe Hong Kong can effectively support their Asian expansion plans over the next three years. Italy represents an important trading partner for Hong Kong, with bilateral trade reaching US$8.3 billion in 2024, making Italy Hong Kong's fourth-largest EU trading partner. As of 2023, Hong Kong was the third most popular destination for Italian investment in Asia, while Hong Kong investors ranked as the third-largest Asian investors in Italy. Currently, 200 Italian companies operate in Hong Kong, with significant trading activity in fashion, luxury goods, electronics, food and beverages, and professional services.
Beyond the symposium, the program features an exhibition with Business Support Zone and InnoVenture Salon, where over 20 Hong Kong service providers and startups 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 opportunities. For more information, visit https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html.
