Sourcing

Fears of economic slowdowns in key markets dented Hong Kong exporters’ confidence in the third quarter, but they identified Asia, especially Southeast Asia and Mainland China, as bright spots.

Links between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia are strengthening, as both balance the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with global challenges posed by supply chain interruptions, inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions.

Business links between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia are growing faster than a rain-forest bamboo grove, prompting the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to organise a mission to Singapore, the business hub of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indonesia, the biggest ASEAN member, and nimble technology developer Malaysia.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is maturing into a key market and investment destination for Hong Kong firms, as well as a source of commodities and capital. Bangkok, capital of Thailand, lies in the heart of this fast-growing region.

Many of the concepts around sustainable business require university-level physical or chemical engineering to understand and generate heated debate even within the green community; busy managers of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can have a hard time navigating their way to such goals as Net Zero.

As the post-pandemic world takes shape, exhibitors and buyers are flocking back to physical exhibitions. At the same time, lifestyle and licensing-product suppliers are adapting to profound shifts in buyers’ tastes and priorities.