Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today led a business delegation to explore new economic opportunities in Malaysia.

The group includes representatives from Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong chambers of commerce and other key industry organisations. The visit was organised by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, which is jointly led by Mr Yau and Invest Hong Kong.

The visit began with a business seminar and networking lunch hosted by Invest Hong Kong. The event provided Mainland delegates with direct networking access to potential Malaysian business partners.

Delivering his opening remarks, Mr Yau highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic role as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" that links capital and opportunities between the East and the West. “With this strategic role, coupled with the many strengths of Hong Kong, Hong Kong is prepared to serve as the ideal springboard linking the Chinese Mainland and Malaysia,” he said.

On the sidelines of the seminar, Invest Hong Kong signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority to deepen bilateral co-operation. The signing was witnessed by Mr Yau and Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry.

Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau described the trip as a major success in helping Mainland enterprises leverage Hong Kong to expand into Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. She noted that the delegation attended the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” event to meet local business leaders.

“Malaysia being a very key economy within the ASEAN region, we arranged for them to meet not only the government agencies, but also to meet potential key partners.

“More ASEAN companies are now also using Hong Kong as a platform to expand further into the Greater Bay Area, or the Chinese Mainland as a whole, and some of them even use Hong Kong to further develop their business in the rest of the world,” she added.

Mainland delegates hailed the trip as fruitful.

Communications executive Athena Zhao called the task force an accelerator for companies going global, noting its help in connecting businesses with crucial legal and financial services.

Mainland technology executive Max Zhao added that official government endorsement provided direct access to senior-level local counterparts.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Ant International to learn about digital solutions empowering small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia. They exchanged views on fostering partnerships via Hong Kong with Antom Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Liu.

The group also visited Hong Leong Manufacturing Group, one of Malaysia’s largest diversified conglomerates, to discuss market strategies with Group President Kwek Leng San.

In the evening, Mr Yau held a dinner meeting with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Finance Liew Chin Tong to discuss economic trends and exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong, Malaysia and ASEAN.

Mr Yau will attend an MOU signing ceremony between the competition commissions of Hong Kong and Malaysia tomorrow before returning to Hong Kong.