FHKI Concluded a 6-day Delegation Mission to Indonesia and Thailand

26-01-2024

FHKI Concluded a 6-day Delegation Mission to Indonesia and Thailand

Forging Strategic Partners with Fruitful Results

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) has successfully concluded its 6-day delegation mission to the ASEAN countries of Indonesia and Thailand (21 - 26 Jan). In particular, it is worth noting that FHKI achieved significant milestones in Bangkok, Thailand by signing separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with each of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) and the Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (THKTA). Not only did FHKI delegation engage with an extremely vibrant startup community at Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA), they also conducted exploratory visits to local industrial parks, uncovering and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

At a business dinner co-organised by FHKI and THKTA on 24 Jan, with the generous support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (ETO Bangkok), esteemed business leaders from both regions convened to discuss and promote future economic exchanges. The event provided a platform to exchange invaluable insights and opinions regarding areas of cooperation, such as the digital economy, startup ecosystem, and e-commerce etc.

At the same occasion, FHKI also signed a MoU with THKTA to establish a collaborative framework to support industrial development between Hong Kong and Thailand. As the second largest economy in ASEAN and one of the countries in the “Belt and Road” initiative, Thailand is Hong Kong’s 10th largest trading partner. Apart from its booming tourism and service industry, Thailand puts tremendous effort into attracting advanced industrial and innovative technology companies to settle in local industrial parks in recent years. The said MoU will facilitate exchange and collaboration across various sectors ranging from economy, business, trade, human resource management to sustainable growth, aiming to enhance economic development and prosperity.

Also, FHKI also had the privilege of witnessing the signing of a MoU between Hong Kong-based AEL (International Holdings) Limited and Thai conglomerate Loxley Public Company Limited during the dinner. On the following day (25 Jan), FHKI delegation visited the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) and reaffirmed their previous partnerships in 2019 by signing another MoU during the visit. This renewed agreement will further strengthen and deepen their ties and foster even greater cooperation.

During the visit in Bangkok, the FHKI delegation also had the opportunity to meet and engage with local startups in Thailand. FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang highlighted the impressive growth of Thailand's startup ecosystem in recent years, with several local startups emerging as regional and even global unicorns or soonicorns. He emphasised that one of the key objectives of this delegation was to foster collaboration between Thai and Hong Kong startups, “The drive towards a flourishing digital economy and e-commerce, coupled with the nurturing of I&T startups, signifies the new path and prevailing trend in global economic development. These endeavors are not only essential for Hong Kong’s ongoing transformation in the industry but also serve as pivotal drivers of progress. Thailand's experience in nurturing startup provides valuable insights that are worth learning.”

FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang expressed great satisfaction with the fruitful results of the six-day visit, stating, “During this delegation, FHKI established an ASEAN chapter to offer greater support to Hong Kong enterprises in the region. Additionally, we signed MoUs with chambers of commerce in two major ASEAN member states, namely Indonesia and Thailand. These agreements have laid a strong and solid foundation for future cooperations, which will undoubtedly enable Hong Kong enterprises to seize the growing business opportunities present in the region. Moreover, the delegation effectively highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages to local government officials and business leaders, generating investment opportunities for Hong Kong.”

FHKI extends its deepest gratitude towards the unwavering support of its partners in Hong Kong and Thailand, including, ETO Bangkok, Invest HK, EECO, Office of the Board of Investment (BOI), National Innovation Agency (NIA), THKTA, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), AMATA, PcW, and CP Group. Their generous sponsorships and contributions have been indispensable to the resounding success of the delegation mission!

Led by Chairman Chuang and co-organized by the International Affairs Committee and the Belt and Road Committee, the FHKI delegation consists of more than 30 members, including FHKI Executive Deputy Chairmen Anthony Lam, Ricky Chan, and Clara Chan; FHKI Deputy Chairmen Jude Chow, Karen Chan, Gary Lau, and Jackie Ng; FHKI Director-General Bonnie Chan; Head of Innovation and Technology of Invest Hong Kong, Andy Wong; and leaders from the Hong Kong manufacturing and I&T sectors.

About Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI)

Established in 1960, FHKI represents and serves the interests of Hong Kong’s industrial and business communities. FHKI actively consolidates the industry’s views on issues of concern to HKSAR Government and puts forward proposals that facilitate the industry’s long-term development. FHKI is also dedicated to strengthening communication between Hong Kong industries and foreign counterparts and forging the connection between global business communities.

About Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (THKTA)

The Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (THKTA) was established in 1992 to promote the development of trade and investment between Thailand and Hong Kong. The Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association aims to provide a point of exchange and coordination to improve business and opportunities in trade, industry, investment, finance, and other business activities in between Thailand and Hong Kong.

About Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO)

The Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) is a vital public agency aiming to encourage investment, uplift innovation, and advanced technology in Thailand for the future generation.

Picture 1：FHKI delegation visited National Innovation Agency of Thailand.

Picture 2：FHKI delegation visited PwC.

Picture 3：FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang delivered a speech at the business dinner in Bangkok.

Picture 4：FHKI Deputy Chairman, AEL (International Holdings) Limited Founder and CEO Jude Chow delivered a speech at the business dinner.

Picture 5：FHKI Deputy Chairman Gary Lau delivered a speech at the business dinner.

Picture 6: Under the witness of FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang (right 1) and THKTA Vice President Dicky Yu (left 1), an MoU was signed by FHKI Deputy Chairman Gary Lau (right 2) and THKTA President Danny Yu (left 2).

Picture 7：Under the witness of FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang (back, left) and Loxley Public Company Limited First Executive Vice President Pattara Pojanapanich (back, right), FHKI Deputy Chairman, AEL (International Holdings) Limited Founder and CEO Jude Chow (front, left) signed a MoU with Loxley Public Company Limited Executive Vice President Pises Dissawat (front, right).

Picture 8：FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang (right 2) presented certificates of appreciation to Parson Lam, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (left 2), THKTA President Danny Yu (left 1) and FHKI Deputy Chairman, AEL (International Holdings) Limited Founder and CEO Jude Chow (right 1) at the business dinner.

Picture 9：Anthony Lam, FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman (right), exchanged the MoU with Korkij Danchaivichit (left), Deputy Secretary General of Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand.

Picture 10：Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand Deputy Secretary General Korkij Danchaivichit (left) presented a souvenir to FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang.