​The Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) today (September 8) held the Set Sail from Hong Kong, Harness the Power of the Northern Metropolis – Mainland Enterprises Going Global Seminar at the Central Government Offices. Attended by over 120 representatives of central and other state-owned enterprises preparing to attend the 11th Belt and Road Summit, the seminar promoted Hong Kong's unique advantages as the platform of choice for enterprises going global, introduced how enterprises can seize the development opportunities of the Northern Metropolis (NM), and demonstrated how they can leverage Hong Kong's strengths in finance, shipping, trade and professional services to build commodity-trading businesses for expanding into overseas markets.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said in his address that Hong Kong, with its international business environment, world-class professional services, and top-tier talent, is the best home port for enterprises setting sail overseas. Through the three-step approach of "bringing in", making preparations in Hong Kong for going global, and "reaching out", the GoGlobal Task Force under his steer helps enterprises to go global in an orderly manner. The NM offers enormous development potential and ample land for industrial use, which is conducive to enterprises establishing and growing their operations in Hong Kong and venturing into overseas markets with the support of Hong Kong's world-class professional services.

     Executive Vice President of China Merchants Group Mr Song Rong said that under the guidance of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, China Merchants Group partnered with various central state-owned enterprises to establish the Belt and Road Action Platform in Hong Kong in 2024 to support Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past two years, platform members have leveraged Hong Kong's distinct advantages in finance, shipping, and professional services to effectively stabilise supply chains and optimise the allocation of global resources. Hong Kong is backed by the country and connected to the world, and the NM serves as a new engine for its future development. Moving forward, China Merchants Group will continue to use this platform as a base, joining hands with all sectors to "set sail via Hong Kong", contributing further to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

     The Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Ms Linda So, was also invited to the seminar and briefed participants on the latest developments of the NM. The seminar featured two thematic discussions. The first explored the industrial layout of the NM and how the opportunities arising from its modern logistics ecosystem can help internationalise the businesses of Mainland enterprises. The second examined how Mainland enterprises can leverage Hong Kong's advantages to respond to the new dynamics of global commodities markets and the strains on overseas supply chains, and to optimise overseas trade, commodity hedging and risk management.

     The seminar successfully fostered exchanges between representatives of central and other state-owned enterprises and members of the GoGlobal Task Force and deepened their understanding of Hong Kong's professional services and the development of the NM, helping to attract more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a base for their go-global plans.

Ends/Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:08

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