The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Microsoft Hong Kong have jointly launched the Microsoft AI Adoption Programme, a strategic initiative designed to support Hong Kong's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and accelerate digital transformation. The programme features three thematic workshops with industry experts who will share practical insights on applying AI in real-world business scenarios, along with a series of exclusive AI solution offers to help companies adopt these technologies more efficiently.
Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized the organization's ongoing commitment to supporting business competitiveness through initiatives like the Transformation Sandbox (T-box). "Following our collaboration with Microsoft Hong Kong in 2022 on the Go Beyond Your Limits programme, which offered solution discounts to support SMEs in accelerating digital transformation, we are delighted to work with Microsoft Hong Kong again to introduce exclusive offers for T-box companies," Lau stated. He noted that this collaboration will empower businesses to adopt AI technology at lower cost with greater efficiency, potentially opening new business opportunities for participating companies.
Leo Liu, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau, highlighted the importance of AI adoption in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. "We are delighted to continue our collaboration with the HKTDC to support local SMEs in adopting AI in their day-to-day operations and accelerating their digital transformation journey," Liu said. "In this rapidly evolving era of AI, we are committed to empowering every company as they take steady steps toward becoming Frontier Firms." The Microsoft executive expressed anticipation for further deepening collaboration with the HKTDC to support more businesses in driving meaningful impact and sustainable growth.
The programme's first workshop, held recently, was titled "The Intelligence Chain - How AI Connects Every Workflow in Your Business." The session featured Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Hong Kong; Frankie Lam, Go-To-Market Lead of AI Business Solutions at Microsoft Hong Kong; and Vincent Chak, Solutions Director – Modern Workplace at SOS Group Limited. Through product demonstrations and real-life case sharing, the speakers introduced AI solutions designed for the modern workplace and provided an in-depth look into core strategies and best practices for effective AI adoption in business operations.
Two additional workshops are scheduled for March and April 2026. The March session, "Building AI Applications and Intelligent Processes: Practical Experience with Azure AI," will showcase how intelligent solutions can be used to analyse data. The April workshop, "AI Leading a New Era of Operational Automation," will explore how automation and predictive analytics can streamline workflows and enhance efficiency. The Microsoft AI Adoption Programme also offers exclusive Microsoft discounts to companies participating in T-box, helping SMEs adopt AI technologies in a more cost-effective manner. For details, please visit the programme website: https://smesupport.hktdc.com/en/s/sme-microsoft/.
This initiative represents a significant development for Hong Kong's business ecosystem, particularly for SMEs that may lack the resources to independently navigate AI implementation. By providing structured guidance, practical demonstrations, and financial incentives, the programme addresses common barriers to technology adoption while positioning Hong Kong businesses to compete more effectively in an increasingly digital global marketplace. The collaboration between a major trade promotion body and a leading technology company creates a powerful support system that could influence how businesses across various sectors integrate AI into their operations, potentially setting a precedent for similar public-private partnerships in other regions.
