Hong Kong's Professionals Fuel ASEAN Push
In recent years, global supply chains have been transformed beyond recognition, largely due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the substantial tariff increases imposed by the US. In order to keep track of the regional impact of these developments,HKTDC ResearchandUOB Hong Kongcollaborated on a new study in the third quarter of 2025. This follows an earlier joint research project –GBA Supply Chain Diversity: Enhancing Connectivity Among ASEAN, Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland1 – published in 2024. This latest initiative also forms part of an ongoing commitment to continue tracking the sustainable development journey of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) business community and their ASEAN business development. As part of the most recent study, 600 enterprises based in either Hong Kong or one of the five Mainland GBA cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan or Zhongshan) took part in a questionnaire-based survey. To participate, all of the enterprises had to be committed to expanding their ASEAN-related business and to implementing greener trading practices. |
Hong Kong Platform Favoured by Two-Thirds of GBA Businesses Accelerating ASEAN Development
Among the enterprises prioritising ASEAN business development, 66% are using the Hong Kong platform to accelerate entry into / expansion within the ASEAN market. By sector, 68% of services enterprises indicated they would make use of the Hong Kong platform to accelerate the development of their ASEAN business activities, compared to 63% of manufacturing enterprises. At 67%, Mainland GBA enterprises were marginally more enthusiastic than their Hong Kong counterparts (64%).
By industry, the highest percentage of businesses utilising the Hong Kong platform are in the business, professional and financial services sectors (72%), followed by industrial goods manufacturers (69%) and real estate, hospitality and construction companies (68%). At 63%, the corresponding percentage for enterprises in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors is slightly lower. Consumer goods manufacturers, however, are the least inclined to accelerate the development of their ASEAN business via the Hong Kong platform, with just 59% indicating such a preference.
Number of respondents: Left diagram: 600, right diagram: 437
Source: HKTDC Survey
Distribution of 437 respondents: Hong Kong enterprises: 88, Mainland GBA enterprises: 349; manufacturing sector: 163, service sector: 274; consumer goods: 82, industrial goods: 81, business, professional and financial services: 94, real estate, hospitality and construction: 96, technology, media and telecommunications: 84
Source:HKTDC Survey
Most Utilised Hong Kong Services: Market Research and Analysis,as well as Professional Services
Hong Kong is seen as having the capacity to provide extensive support to GBA enterprises dealing with global trade uncertainties. Specifically, it can meet enterprises’ needs for tools and service support and provide comprehensive assistance for any business looking to bolster its responsiveness and competitiveness. Among those GBA enterprises intending to use the Hong Kong platform to accelerate the development of their ASEAN business, the city’smarket research and analysis capabilities(84%) are most in demand. This is largely because such services play a key role in helping them understand market and industry risks and trends, as well as regulatory requirements, insights deemed particularly helpful in any exploration of overseas opportunities or trade uncertainty management initiatives related to ASEAN business development.
Beyond this, some 84% of enterprises make use of Hong Kong’sprofessional serviceson a consultancy basis in order to help deal with global trade uncertainties and the exploration of new markets. In addition, Hong Kong’sbusiness matching platforms(67%),loan services / cross-border financing(66%) anddigital tools(65%) are also frequently accessed by enterprises looking to mitigate trade uncertainties. Based on this, it is more than fair to say that Hong Kong is clearly the preferred platform for GBA enterprises looking to “go ASEAN”, as well as the preferred option of many businesses seeking to navigate unstable trade relationships and the diverse and dynamic policies applicable in many overseas markets.
Note: The four options in this question are “often”, “sometimes”, “seldom” and “never”. The percentages in the diagrams are the combined percentages of “often” and “sometimes”.
Due to rounding, items with the same percentage may be ranked differently.
Number of respondents: 261 to 288.
Source:HKTDC Survey
For GBA enterprises venturing into the ASEAN market, Hong Kong plays a vital and multifaceted role. As the lead international financial and trade hub connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world, Hong Kong has come to serve as the ideal bridge for any GBA enterprise looking to develop overseas businesses, particularly for those looking to enter the ASEAN market. Above all, the city has come to be prized for its high quality, highly internationalised, comprehensive professional services, sound legal system and mature financial sector. With global trade uncertainty an ever‑more‑pressing concern, Hong Kong has also established itself as the preferred platform for any enterprise within the region to source the kind of professional support and strategic solutions necessary to mitigate the arising array of associated risks.
1For more details on the report, please refer toHong Kong Empowers GBA Enterprises for ASEAN Growth Amid Global Trade Challenges
First, please LoginComment After ~