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SCED promotes Hong Kong's unique advantages as two-way platform in Malaysia (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) officiated at a Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the newly established Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur ETO) to celebrate the festive season with various sectors of the local community and deepen links between the two places.

     This was the first-ever large-scale event organised by the new ETO in Kuala Lumpur after its establishment last December. Speaking to some 400 guests at the dinner, Mr Yau thanked the Malaysian government for supporting the setting up of the ETO in the capital city, adding that it is an important milestone in the already close and solid ties between Malaysia and Hong Kong, and also a clear testament to the shared commitment to deepening bilateral co-operation. From January to October 2025, bilateral trade reached US$21.5 billion, making both places among each other's top 10 trading partners.

     Mr Yau highlighted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole is also rapidly emerging as a strong global economic power, projected to become the world's fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030. As Hong Kong's fourth ETO in ASEAN, the Kuala Lumpur ETO will also be responsible for advancing Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with Brunei Darussalam, Laos and Pakistan, and is therefore playing a strategic role for Hong Kong to deepen engagement in this dynamic region.

     While Malaysia plays an important role in linking ASEAN with the wider global economy, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong serves as both a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" under the "one country, two systems" principle to connect the Chinese Mainland with the world. He also shared with the guests Hong Kong's latest initiatives to give full play to the city's role as a two-way platform.

     "We launched a dedicated task force in October last year, under my steer, to co-ordinate the efforts of our Government and our executive agencies to provide more focused, tailor-made support to help enterprises on the Chinese Mainland to expand globally. They can fully utilise the strengths of Hong Kong's professional services, as well as our global connections, to extend their operations overseas," he said.

     Meanwhile, the number of companies coming from outside Hong Kong rose to 11 000 in 2025, representing an 11 per cent growth and a record high. Mr Yau noted that those from overseas countries did not come solely for Hong Kong's domestic market but also for the huge market potential on the Chinese Mainland, especially the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He encouraged Malaysian enterprises to make use of Hong Kong as a platform to expand their businesses to the Chinese Mainland. A dedicated team for attracting businesses and talents to be set up in the Kuala Lumpur ETO will also provide assistance.

     Dignitaries attending the dinner included the Minister of Transport of Malaysia, Mr Anthony Loke; the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing; the President of the Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association, Dato' Dixon Chew, and other business leaders. Representatives from the local government, media and cultural sectors also attended.

     Earlier in the day, Mr Yau had a lunch meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong, and the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Sim Tze Tzin, to give them an update on Hong Kong's latest developments and to exchange views on various economic and trade issues. Before the lunch meeting, Mr Yau toured a historic building to gain a deeper appreciation of the history and heritage of Malaysia.

     Mr Yau also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, to brief him on Hong Kong's new measures for attracting enterprises and investment to inject economic impetus, including the Northern Metropolis development and the setting up of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global. They also exchanged views on strengthening collaboration between the two places with the establishment of the Kuala Lumper ETO.

     During the visit, Mr Yau took the opportunity to visit a potential site for the ETO's long-term office to learn more about the preparatory work. He was also briefed by the ETO staff on their efforts to establish local connections since the ETO has commenced operations.

     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon (January 31).
 
Ends/Friday, January 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 20:46
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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) officiated at a Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the newly established Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the festive season with various sectors of the local community and deepen links between the two places. Photo shows Mr Yau speaking at the Chinese New Year dinner.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) officiated at a Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the newly established Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the festive season with various sectors of the local community and deepen links between the two places. Photo shows Mr Yau (sixth left) , together with guests including the Minister of Transport of Malaysia, Mr Anthony Loke (seventh left); the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing (fifth left); and the President of the Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association, Dato' Dixon Chew (third left), proposing a toast at the Chinese New Year dinner.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) officiated at a Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the newly established Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the festive season with various sectors of the local community and deepen links between the two places. Some 400 guests attended the dinner.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) had a lunch meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong, and the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Sim Tze Tzin, to give them an update on Hong Kong's latest developments and to exchange views on various economic and trade issues. Photo shows Mr Yau (centre), Mr Liew (right), and Mr Sim (left) before the lunch meeting.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) had a lunch meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong, and the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Sim Tze Tzin, to give them an update on Hong Kong's latest developments and to exchange views on various economic and trade issues. Photo shows Mr Yau (second right) touring a historic building to gain a deeper appreciation of the history and heritage of Malaysia before the lunch meeting. Looking on are Mr Liew (first right) and Mr Sim (third right).
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) had a lunch meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong, and the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Sim Tze Tzin, to give them an update on Hong Kong's latest developments and to exchange views on various economic and trade issues. Photo shows Mr Yau (right) touring a historic building to gain a deeper appreciation of the history and heritage of Malaysia before the lunch meeting. Looking on are Mr Liew (centre) and Mr Sim (left).
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (right), on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) pays a courtesy call on the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (left), to brief him on Hong Kong's new measures for attracting enterprises and investment to inject economic impetus, including the Northern Metropolis development and the setting up of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (first right), on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (January 30) visits a potential site for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur's long-term office to learn more about the preparatory work.