The symposium brought together some 1,600 business leaders from Hong Kong and Malaysia for a day of dialogue, networking, business matching and one-on-one consultations. Among them are over 200 government and business leaders, start-up entrepreneurs and professional service providers from Hong Kong, marking a historic high. During the event, over 300 tailored business matching meetings were lined up to help Malaysian companies find the right Hong Kong partners to expand internationally.

As businesses navigate shifting global trade dynamics and seek more resilient pathways for international growth, the symposium offered vast opportunities for Malaysian businesses to access capital, diversify their business networks, establish cross-border partnerships and expand into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the wider Chinese Mainland and global markets through Hong Kong.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of HKTDC, together with The Honourable Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and YB Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia's Minister of Transport.

In his welcome remarks, Prof Ma said: “Especially at times like these – when businesses are navigating geopolitical uncertainty, evolving supply chains and rapid advances in technology – trusted connections and strong networks are more valuable than ever. First launched in 2011 and held in major cities all around the world, TBTHK has proven to be popular and successful. It is a platform via which networks are expanded, relationships are deepened and new partnerships are forged. Today’s symposium is a timely opportunity to build on the close ties that we have all benefitted from – in so many different and rewarding ways – over the years.”

In his opening remarks, Mr Yau said: “For Malaysian companies, the Chinese Mainland is for no doubt a huge market not to be missed. Especially at times like this, everyone is talking about diversification. Apart from strengthening your operations in the local market, it is always good to tap the potentials from overseas markets, including the Chinese Mainland. Hong Kong has the knowhow and expertise to help Malaysian companies to navigate the Chinese Mainland markets. We have been doing it for a long time, and we are good at it. The other way around, we are also supporting Chinese Mainland enterprises to go overseas via Hong Kong. We established the GoGlobal Task Force (Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global) last year to provide one-stop, customised support services to facilitate outbound direct investment into overseas markets, including Malaysia and beyond.”

In his special remarks, Mr Loke said connectivity Is the precondition for movement of capital and people, with Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong being under four hours flight apart and sharing the same time zone.

“The same logic governs freight. Hong Kong International Airport is among the busiest cargo gateways in the world, while Port Klang sits on one of the most heavily used shipping lanes globally.

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