The HKTDC’s Transformation Sandbox (T-box) business support programme has helped a Hong Kong-based digital display company deal with mainland regulations, while introducing it to the value of becoming Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-certified.
iTach Technology Limited (iTach) is a local digital display provider offering customised information screens, large-scale video walls, all-in-one display panels and facial recognition solutions to corporate clients, such as hotels, shopping malls and commercial buildings.
The company is headquartered in Hong Kong, while its R&D, product development, production and quality management teams are located in Mainland China.
The company approached HKTDC, when it needed advice on moving its manufacturing operations from Dongguan to Shenzhen.
The company joined T-box, which provides free support to help SMEs enhance their competitiveness across branding, digital transformation, production, supply chain and market development.
Josan Chow, Sales Director, said, "We didn't quite understand the regulations for setting up a business in Shenzhen, but then the T-box team provided us with a detailed understanding of the regulatory provisions in the mainland. After preparing the necessary documents, we were able to successfully relocate our production base and office to Shenzhen and optimise our operations.”
Responding to worldwide industry demand, T-box has last year introduced a support stream to help Hong Kong SMEs integrate ESG practices into their business.
For SMEs, ESG compliance is now becoming more and more recognised as a success factor in their dealings with banks, customers and business partners. T-box’s support includes ESG workshops, consultation services and certification.
iTach took full advantage of T-box’s ESG workshops to understand the importance of sustainability to the company's development. Through the T-box team’s referral, the company successfully obtained a Dun & Bradstreet ESG-Registered badge and joined the ESG Connect Programme run by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency.
The company also sponsored staff to undertake ESG training run by the Hong Kong Management Association and T-box, and joined the Hong Kong Green Building Council. The T-box team recommended the company connect with organisations that promote ESG knowledge-sharing, including the SME Sustainability Society and BEAM Professional.
iTach is seeing many benefits in holding ESG credentials and in ensuring it maintains up-to-date knowledge of ESG standards.
"As many of our customers, especially large developers and property management companies, require their suppliers to comply with ESG requirements, obtaining ESG certification demonstrates our commitment and efforts in ESG disclosure,” Ms Chow said.
Maintaining best practice knowledge is a critical part of keeping credentials current, and Ms Chow notes that the company sponsors staff to maintain their ESG knowledge and use it in their daily work.
Looking ahead, the company sees demand for innovative electronic displays in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand and is studying the possibility of exploring the Belt and Road and ASEAN markets through HKTDC's overseas network.
Free of charge, T-box is open to all companies registered in Hong Kong and provides participants with a tailored package, including advice, workshops, funding information, market insights and networking opportunities.