Support for SMEs

The Government supported the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)'s introduction of Transformation Sandbox (T-box) to facilitate SMEs in capitalising on new business opportunities, including making the most of the Belt and Road Initiative by expanding their businesses in the Mainland of China's overseas Economic and Trade Co-operation Zones (ETCZs).

In addition, the Government organises various activities from time to time, such as the Belt and Road Summit, sharing sessions and webinars, to facilitate establishment of direct contact between enterprises and professionals in the Mainland, overseas and Hong Kong. For details, please visit the website of Belt and Road Office and the Belt and Road Portal of the HKTDC.

Hong Kong has been actively seeking to expand its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) network in order to secure favourable conditions for Hong Kong's goods and services to enter the Mainland and international markets.

So far, Hong Kong has signed eight FTAs, respectively with the Mainland of China (June 2003), New Zealand (March 2010), the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) (June 2011), Chile (September 2012), Macao (October 2017), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) (November 2017), Georgia (June 2018) and Australia (March 2019).  Hong Kong commenced negotiations for an FTA with Peru on 30 January 2023.  For details, please click here.

Hong Kong has been endeavouring to sign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs) with foreign economies in order to enhance two-way investment flows and boost our economy.

So far, Hong Kong has signed 24 IPPAs with foreign economies, respectively with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam), Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Türkiye.  It has also concluded IPPA negotiations with Maldives and Myanmar.  For details, please click here.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) helps SMEs stay current with the latest overseas market intelligence and create business plans and promotion strategies to seize opportunities ahead of the competition.  

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) maintains a continually updated resource of more than 200 global market profiles, covering major economic indicators, trade policies, trade agreements, foreign direct investment policies, free trade zones and investment incentives, taxation and risk summary, and their connections with Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) publishes business guides to provide practical information for companies interested in investing or setting up their business in each specified region.  

SMEs can source products online from reliable overseas wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers on HKTDC Online Marketplace.  

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Business Matching is a customised suite of integrated matching services dedicated to helping global customers identify and screen potential Hong Kong business partners.  

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) gives guides and resources on trade regulations of overseas markets.  

The Trade and Industry Department issues a number of Commercial Information Circulars on overseas trade and economic rules and regulations.