HONG KONG ADVANTAGE

Listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange, TT International is a leading Singapore-based player in the global trading of consumer electronics. Its business interest include the development of AKIRA, its consumer electronics house brand, the provision of warehousing and logistics services, the sale of contemporary furniture and bedding, and home furnishing services. More

Hong Kong exporters interested in the ASEAN market could consider partnering with a local agent to manage regional distribution. Compared with direct deals in individual markets, working with an agent in Singapore can help reduce counterparty risks in the less developed economies. Exporters can also enjoy economies of scale when engaging a regional distributor in Singapore. More

ASEAN companies are gaining traction as the region grows. According to Nikkei Asian Review magazine, 44 ASEAN companies boasted a market capitalisation of US$10 billion or more in 2014, up from 34 in 2010. The dominating sectors are finance, communications, real estate, oil and gas, retail, agribusiness and utilities. More

Hong Kong appears to have lost out to Singapore in recent years, as observed in the 40% differential of their 2014 per-capita GDPs. However, Singapore’s labour productivity is only 15% higher than Hong Kong’s, and there is no vast difference between the two in terms of their business environment. Against the backdrop of regional integration and cooperation, it may be more meaningful to focus on the complementary roles of the two economies. More