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

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 strategic initiative arrives amid evolving global dynamics and emerging growth markets including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, ASEAN nations, and Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis development, presenting Italian enterprises with substantial opportunities for Asian market expansion and partnership development.

Following successful editions in Paris and Jakarta, the Milan event will convene approximately 80 Hong Kong representatives spanning government officials, business leaders, innovators, investors, and startup entrepreneurs. This gathering facilitates direct dialogue and networking with Italian companies seeking Asian market entry. The program features remarks from HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma alongside representatives from both Hong Kong and Italian governments, establishing high-level governmental support for bilateral business collaboration.

Prominent industry speakers will share insights during the Plenary Session, including Hans Michael Jebsen of The Hong Kong-Europe Business Council, Bernard Chan from West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited CEO Bonnie Chan, Claudio de Bedin of Justin Chow & de Bedin Solicitors LLP, and Insilico Medicine Founder Alex Zhavoronkov. Their collective expertise spans finance, cultural development, capital markets, legal frameworks, and technological innovation.

The event structure includes four thematic sessions addressing strategic collaboration areas between Hong Kong and Italy. The Finance and Trade session examines global economic trends, Hong Kong's trade hub role, digital trade initiatives, and plans for trade corridors connecting Italy with Hong Kong and mainland China. Innovation and Technology discussions explore artificial intelligence advancements, green technology, industrial digitalization, and smart city solutions through case studies demonstrating viable sectors for Italian business expansion.

Supply Chain Service sessions highlight corporate treasury centers' strategic function in strengthening supply chain operations to support Italian business growth within Asia's dynamic markets. Creative and Design forums promote collaboration between Hong Kong and Italian design excellence across lifestyle, manufacturing, fashion, art, and luxury sectors where Italian creativity intersects with Asian cultural vibrancy.

Italy maintains significant economic ties with Hong Kong, with bilateral trade reaching US$8.3 billion in 2024, positioning Italy as Hong Kong's fourth-largest trading partner and export market within 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 similarly made substantial Italian investments, making the city the third-largest Asian investor in Italy. Approximately 200 Italian companies currently operate in Hong Kong across dynamic sectors including fashion, luxury goods, electronics, food and beverage, and high-value professional services.

Hong Kong's unique global ecosystem combines competitive taxation, common law-based legal frameworks, robust intellectual property protection, and privileged access to mainland Chinese and emerging Asia-Pacific markets. This combination establishes Hong Kong as an ideal platform for Italian companies pursuing international expansion, market diversification, and strengthened presence in one of the world's most economically vibrant regions. During an October media briefing in Milan, HKTDC Regional Director for Europe Chris Lo emphasized Hong Kong's position as a dynamic, international ecosystem offering legal certainty, tax efficiency, and direct mainland China market access for Italian companies operating in Asia.

HKTDC Director for Italy Gianluca Mirante characterized Think Business, Think Hong Kong as more than an event, describing it as an accelerator for strategic connections between complementary economies. Italian companies will discover in Hong Kong a reliable partner for innovation, growth, and international expansion through institutional, business, and investor networking that fosters collaboration and best practices in innovation, finance, and sustainable development. For additional event information, visit https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html.