Senior business leaders from Hong Kong and Indonesia gathered together in Jakarta on 8 January for the latest edition of Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK), a mega promotion organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
More than 1,500 participants attended a full-day symposium, while over 400 leaders from the Indonesian and Hong Kong business communities joined a gala dinner in the evening.
“Indonesia has long been an important partner for Hong Kong,” said HKTDC’s Chairman, Dr Peter K N Lam. “As we meet local government and business leaders on this visit, we look to strengthen our bilateral ties,” he added.
Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Dr Edi Prio Pambudi, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of International Economic Cooperation, also attended TBTHK’s opening ceremony.
Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a two-way gateway between China and the rest of the world.
“Foreign companies with a presence in Hong Kong, including Indonesian companies, can leverage the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong to gain easy and unparalleled access to the immense mainland market,” he said.
Dr Pambudi stressed the importance of robust collaboration to help Indonesia achieve ambitious growth targets, including a goal to become an advanced economy by 2045.
“It is imperative that we continue to seek support and engagement of Hong Kong corporations to further drive Indonesia’s economic development,” he said.
As part of TBTHK’s plenary session, senior leaders examined opportunities for Hong Kong and Indonesian businesses to propel regional development, paving the way for sustainable growth.
This was followed by thematic sessions, which explored the benefits that Hong Kong can provide in four pivotal areas: the use of RMB in international trade, PropTech, multinational supply chains and green technology.
The TBTHK symposium also brought together 22 exhibitors representing diverse sectors from Hong Kong, while different start-ups from the city showcased their innovative solutions as part of an InnoVenture Salon exhibition.
Meanwhile, business advisory bodies provided consultations to businesses looking to set up operations in Hong Kong in a dedicated Business Support Zone.
The symposium also facilitated over 200 on-site business matching meetings between Indonesian and Hong Kong companies.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board also set up a Hong Kong Café at the symposium where guests could enjoy authentic Hong Kong snacks, such as milk tea and egg waffles, which embody the city’s unique East-meets-West spirit.
Following the symposium, the Hong Kong Dinner hosted Mr Chan, Ms Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Vice Minister of Trade, Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, and H.E. Wang Lutong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China in Indonesia.
The dinner was attended by more than 400 prominent guests from political and business circles.