Malaysia and Hong Kong are strengthening business ties as companies across the region seek new pathways for international growth, with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) bringing together around 1,600 business leaders at its flagship Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK) promotion in Kuala Lumpur.
The event provided Malaysian business leaders with direct access to government officials, investors, founders, innovators and professional service providers from Hong Kong, alongside opportunities for business matching, networking and one-on-one consultations.
More than 200 government and business leaders, start-up entrepreneurs and professional service providers from Hong Kong participated in the event, marking a record level of participation. More than 300 tailored business-matching meetings were also arranged to connect Malaysian companies with potential Hong Kong partners for international expansion.
Expanding Regional Business Opportunities
Held against the backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics, TBTHK offered Malaysian businesses opportunities to access capital, diversify their business networks, establish cross-border partnerships and explore expansion into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the wider Chinese Mainland and global markets through Hong Kong.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of HKTDC, together with The Honourable Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and YB Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport.
In his welcome remarks, Prof Ma highlighted the growing importance of trusted business connections and strong networks as companies navigate geopolitical uncertainty, evolving supply chains and rapid advances in technology.
First launched in 2011 and held in major cities around the world, TBTHK provides a platform for businesses to expand their networks, deepen relationships and establish new partnerships.
Hong Kong as a Gateway to the Chinese Mainland
Mr Yau highlighted the Chinese Mainland as a major market for Malaysian companies, particularly as businesses increasingly seek to diversify their operations and explore overseas opportunities.
He said Hong Kong’s expertise and know-how can help Malaysian companies navigate the Chinese Mainland market, while also supporting Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand internationally through Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong SAR Government established the GoGlobal Task Force, also known as the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, last year to provide one-stop, customised support services for Mainland enterprises seeking outbound direct investment opportunities in overseas markets, including Malaysia and beyond.
Connectivity Strengthens Malaysia-Hong Kong Trade
Connectivity was also highlighted as a key factor supporting closer Malaysia-Hong Kong economic and business ties.
Speaking at the event, Mr Loke said connectivity is a precondition for the movement of capital and people, noting that Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong are less than four hours apart by flight and share the same time zone.
The same connectivity advantages extend to freight and trade. Hong Kong International Airport is among the world’s busiest cargo gateways, while Port Klang is located along one of the world’s most heavily used shipping lanes.
With Malaysia’s exports increasingly comprising electronics, semiconductors and other high-value, time-sensitive goods, Mr Loke highlighted the complementary role of Hong Kong’s expertise in logistics, trade finance, arbitration and professional services.
He also expressed Malaysia’s interest in hosting more events of TBTHK’s calibre to facilitate business discussions, networking and the development of future collaborations.
Opening New Growth Pathways for Malaysian Businesses
The programme featured a flagship plenary session chaired by Lincoln Pan, Chief Executive Officer of Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited.
Speakers included Bonnie Y Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Tan Sri Dato’ David Chiu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Far East Consortium International Limited; Daniel R Fung, Senior Counsel at Des Voeux Chambers, Founding Chairman of the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council; Datuk Wira Song Hoi See, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Plaza Premium Group and Chairman of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macau; and Thomas Tsao, Co-founder and Chair of Gobi Partners.
The speakers discussed Asia’s evolving business landscape and how companies can position themselves to capture emerging regional opportunities.
Reflecting Malaysia’s growing strategic importance in ASEAN and the evolving priorities of businesses across the region, four thematic sessions explored key areas of collaboration between Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Unlocking RMB Trade, Financing and Investment Opportunities
The Capturing RMB Opportunities in Trade, Financing and Investment – Hong Kong’s Strategic Role session, co-organised with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, explored the growing role of the Renminbi in trade, investment and treasury management.
Speakers discussed how Malaysian businesses can leverage Hong Kong’s position as the world’s leading offshore RMB hub to support expansion into the Chinese Mainland and regional markets.
Supporting the Green Transition
The GreenBiz Hong Kong: Driving the Green Transition with Green Finance, Innovation and Cross-Border Collaboration session, supported by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, examined opportunities for sustainable growth through green finance, climate technology and data-driven solutions.
Participants also explored Hong Kong’s role in connecting green capital and innovation across the region, highlighting opportunities for cross-border collaboration in the green economy.
Building Strategic Resilience Through Hong Kong
Following the luncheon, the Strategic Resilience: Capitalising on Hong Kong as a Base for Regional Expansion session, co-organised with Invest Hong Kong, examined how companies can strengthen their regional expansion strategies amid a changing global business landscape.
Featuring insights from international technology pioneers, expanding educational operators and regional advisers, the session highlighted how partnering with Hong Kong can provide businesses with structural stability to optimise corporate assets, mitigate geopolitical risks and accelerate growth across ASEAN and Greater China.
Accelerating Life and Health Technology Globally
The Accelerating the Global Expansion of Life and Health Technology Through Ecosystem Collaboration session, co-organised by the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, focused on how ecosystem collaboration can accelerate the commercialisation and global expansion of health and biotechnology innovations.
Industry leaders shared insights into leveraging partnerships, talent and innovation networks to scale new technologies internationally.
10 MoUs and More Than 300 Business-Matching Meetings
The 2026 TBTHK also witnessed the signing of 10 memoranda of understanding (MoUs), including agreements between various media companies and their respective partners.
The agreements underscore growing collaboration between Hong Kong’s services sector and Malaysia’s business community.
Alongside the symposium, around 30 Hong Kong service providers and start-ups showcased their flagship products and solutions at the exhibition’s Business Support Zone and InnoVenture Salon, creating further opportunities for collaboration with Malaysian participants.
More than 300 one-on-one business consultations and on-site business-matching sessions also facilitated potential deals and cooperation between Malaysian and Hong Kong companies.
Showcasing Hong Kong’s Business and Hospitality Offerings
The Hong Kong Tourism Board also brought a taste of Hong Kong’s culinary culture to TBTHK.
Participants had the opportunity to sample signature offerings from Chinesology, Hong Kong’s pioneering Muslim-friendly fine-dining Chinese restaurant, and Bar Leone, the first Asian bar to top The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
The Hong Kong Luncheon held during the symposium was hosted by Mr Yau and Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Finance, YB Liew Chin Tong, and attended by more than 300 prominent guests from government and business sectors.
Strengthening Malaysia-Hong Kong Economic Ties
The TBTHK promotion is also part of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Economic Trade and Express initiative, which encourages Hong Kong SMEs and start-ups to conduct overseas visits to explore business opportunities while attracting more enterprises to invest in and establish businesses in Hong Kong.
With Malaysian businesses looking to diversify markets, strengthen international partnerships and access new sources of capital and expertise, the latest Think Business, Think Hong Kong promotion highlights the potential for deeper Malaysia-Hong Kong collaboration across international trade, investment, logistics, finance, technology and professional services.
