The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host the Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK) flagship promotion campaign at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on 27 November, marking its first return to Italy since 2014. The event is expected to gather over 700 business leaders, officials and investors to explore business and partnership opportunities in Asia via Hong Kong.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global business landscape, growth in markets such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and ASEAN, as well as opportunities from Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis initiative, the event will offer Italian businesses an opportunity to explore new markets, build partnerships and foster collaboration across Asia.
After successful recent editions in Paris and Jakarta, TBTHK Milan will gather some 80 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, business and creative industry leaders, financial and professional services providers, investors, start-up entrepreneurs, and executives from Chinese Mainland companies based in Hong Kong. The event will highlight Hong Kong's role as a superconnector and super value-adder, enabling both Hong Kong and mainland enterprises to go global and seize opportunities in Italy and across Europe.
At the Opening Session, Paul Chan, Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary, and Prof Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, along with an Italian government representative, will deliver remarks. The Plenary Session will feature high-profile speakers such as Bernard Chan, Chairman of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Bonnie Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Claudio de Bedin, Partner of Justin Chow & de Bedin Solicitors LLP; Fabio De Rosa, Head of Global Transaction Banking of Banco BPM; Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of The Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and Jebsen Group; and Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.
The programme includes five thematic sessions focusing on strategic areas: Digital Trade and Finance, Innovation and Technology, Global Supply Chain, and Creative and Design. These sessions will offer in-depth insights into practical collaboration opportunities, with prominent business leaders from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council, Hong Kong Design Centre, Hong Kong Designers Association, HSBC, Bank of China, and start-ups sharing their successes.
In addition to the symposium, TBTHK will feature an exhibition comprising the Business Support Zone and InnoVenture Salon, where over 20 Hong Kong service providers and start-ups will showcase innovative services and technologies. One-on-one business consultations and on-site business matching will be arranged, and the day will conclude with the Hong Kong Dinner for further networking.
A survey conducted by HKTDC and the Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF) titled "Italian Companies' Asian Expansion Priorities: Innovation, Healthcare and Retail Sectors" reveals that 77% of surveyed Italian businesses are strongly committed to expanding in Asia, citing the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong as priority markets. Some 93% of respondents believe Hong Kong can effectively support their plans over the next three years, acknowledging its status as a strategic gateway to Asian markets and strengths as a logistics and supply chain management hub.
Italy is an important trading and investment partner for Hong Kong. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to US$8.3 billion, making Italy Hong Kong's fourth-largest EU trading partner and export market, and its third-largest EU import market. As of the end of 2023, Hong Kong was the third most popular destination for Italian investment in Asia. As of 2024, there were 200 Italian companies operating in Hong Kong. The sectors with the most trading activity include fashion and luxury goods, electronics, food and beverages, and high-value professional services.
Hong Kong offers a unique regional business ecosystem with competitive taxation, a robust legal framework based on common law, strong IP protection, and privileged access to the Chinese Mainland and emerging Asia-Pacific markets. For more information, visit the official TBTHK Milan website: https://thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/2025-milan/symposium/en/index.html. Register for the event on 27 November at: https://milan.hktdc.com/index.php.
