Updates from Hong Kong: December 2022 & January 2023

Holiday Cheers from our Senior Commercial Officer, Bradley Harker

Happy Holidays!  Our team has stayed busy this month with our SelectUSA Pitch Competition, meetings with many American companies, addressing American Club members, and introducing our new Consul General to many of our contacts. 

We are thrilled that Hong Kong has further relaxed its inbound travel restrictions with fewer mandatory PCR tests.  Previously, arrivals were required to take four PCR tests in the first 9 days upon arrival.  Now, arrivals only need to take two PCR tests: one when they arrive and one on their third day.  As reported earlier, Hong Kong has no quarantine requirement for inbound travelers.  Business travel and tourism in Hong Kong is still below normal flows, but business activities have picked up, and the city’s foot traffic is visibly busier.

Whether you are in Hong Kong or elsewhere, please keep in touch.  We will send our next newsletter update to you in early February 2023, right after the Chinese New Year holidays.

2023 -Happy Year of the Water Rabbit

We are celebrating Chinese New Year early in 2023.

The year of the fiery Tiger will end this coming January 21, as we usher in the year of the Water Rabbit.  Known for its calm and gentle characteristic, the rabbit is expected to herald in more tranquil times, a much-needed respite after a tumultuous 2022.

If you are keen to find out what “prosperity” is in store next coming year, be sure to visit the CLSA Feng Shui Index. Launched in 1992 as a tongue-in-cheek report, the annual index humorously attempts to predict how the city’s happiness is tied to the Hang Sang Index, and which stocks one should avoid in the coming year. 

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit.

Upcoming Commercial Service Events

Eco Expo Asia, 14-17 December 2022

Our team will be attending this year’s Eco Expo Asia 2022.

Themed “Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality”, the 3-day conference and exhibition will focus on how new innovations are helping to decarbonize the world. Learn how alternative energy source is creating new green business opportunities.

A total of 200 local and international exhibitors have confirmed their participation as this exhibition is expected to draw thousands of participants. 

For more information, and to register for free, please go to Eco Expo Asia.

Early Bird Registration - Select USA

We have officially kicked off registration for next year’s SelectUSA Investment Summit, scheduled for May 1- 4, 2023.  Hong Kong and Macau companies that are interested in attending can now take advantage of Early Bird Rate registration before December 30, 2022.  

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the leading investment conference in the United States for foreign direct investment promotion.  The summit is designed to cover all aspects of investing in the U.S. Attendees will be introduced to different state governments and industry experts, potential investment site visits, due diligence exercises, and meeting with third party providers.

We are hoping to repeat our 2022 success by bringing a strong delegation to the summit in 2023. For more information, please contact Boris Meyer at Boris.Meyer@trade.gov   

New trade show - Promat 2023: March 20-23, 2023

Promat is a brand-new show under the Commercial Service’s Trade Event Partnership Program (TEPP). Featuring more than a 1000 exhibitors, it is the largest material handling, logistics and supply chain conference in the U.S. 

Promat aims to bring solution providers together under one roof to showcase the latest technological innovations in supply chain solution and processes in supply chain management.

Explore how the implementation of how artificial intelligence and robotics will change supply chain further boosting efficiency. We would like to invite Hong Kong based companies to join our delegation to Chicago next March 2023. 

For more information, please contact Natalie Tong at Natalie.Tong@trade.gov  

Greater China Clean Beauty Product Showcase & Seminar, February 21-22,2023

We have successfully recruited and confirmed the participation of 25 U.S. clean beauty brands for the Greater China Clean Beauty Product Showcase and Seminar. 

If you are a Hong Kong-based retailer or distributor interested in expanding into this category, or in carrying a new brand, please contact Natalie Tong at Natalie.Tong@trade.gov  to learn how you can take part in this program.

Natural Products Expo West, 8- 12 March 2023

Natural Expo West is America’s largest trade show in the natural, organic and health products industry. Our team is currently putting together a delegation to attend this weeklong conference in Anaheim, Los Angeles this coming March 2023.

According to 2021 research published by Statista on Natural & Organic Cosmetics, the global market for natural cosmetics is poised to increase from US$ 34.5 billion in 2018 to US$ 54.5 billion in 2027.  The China market is valued at US$ 3 billion annually by 2023 is one of the top growth markets as consumers continue to prioritize on natural ingredients.

Joining our delegation will give participants access to our complimentary access to the Commercial Service’s B2B business matching program and usage of our conference facilities. For additional information, please contact Natalie Tong at Natalie.Tong@trade.gov

Recent Highlights

Hutchison Port Visit by Consul General May

The logistics team at the U.S. Commercial Service in Hong Kong recently arranged a site visit for our new Consul General, Mr. Gregory May to see one of the largest port operators in Hong Kong, Hutchison Ports. 

We had an opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations at the 9^th busiest port in the world, and saw how automation and technological advances helped the port earned its reputation for being one of the best managed ports globally.

SelectUSA Tech Startup Pitch Competition 

SelectUSA Tech in Hong Kong recently partnered with SuperMatter to organize its inaugural Startup Pitch Competition at the University of Chicago Campus.

8 tech startups presented their business ideas and U.S. expansion strategies to a live panel of judges from Google, Micron Technology, University of Chicago and Deloitte.

Gense Technologies, a biotechnology startup offering affordable and portable diagnostic imaging device emerged as the winner. Gense will represent Hong Kong in the upcoming regional Pitching Session at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C. in May 2023.

American Club Trade & Investment Outlook Seminar – 22 November 2022

The Commercial Service Team in Hong Kong recently joined the U.S. Consulate’s Agriculture Trade Office Director, the Economic Unit Chief, and the Consular Chief at a “Trade and Investment Q&A session that the American Club in Hong Kong had organized for their club members.

The American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong also joined the session to talk about their pivotal role at promoting U.S. business interests in Hong Kong.  About 60 American Club members participated to learn about the different sections at the U.S. Consulate, and this was followed by a Q&A session. 

The U.S. Consulate officers enjoyed the session and appreciated the opportunity to talk about their work on behalf of the American community in Hong Kong.  

Build For Asia – 16-18 November 2022

The U.S. Commercial Service in Hong Kong recently attended the Build4Asia Conference, the largest trade show in Hong Kong for the construction and design industry.

The 3-day conference and exhibition gave the industry an update on the latest breakthroughs in building technology, especially in the areas of energy efficiency and helping companies meet ESG goals.

The 22^nd Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference – 22-23 November 2022

The U.S. Commercial Service recently attended the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference at the Hong Kong Convention Center ( HKCEC)  

The conference highlighted Hong Kong’s importance as one of the world’s top shipping and air cargo hubs.  More than 90 industry experts presented on topics like new regional trade initiatives, airfreight and cargo management, the development of Hong Kong’s Smart Port, and new developments in supply chain management. 

The Hong Kong International Computer Conference: The Digital Economy- November 17-18

The U.S. Commercial Service in Hong Kong recently attended the Hong Kong International Computer Conference themed “The Digital Economy – the Key Enablers and Driving Forces in Next Five Years”, organized by the Hong Kong Computer Society.

Speakers highlighted the importance of sustainable development by promoting the digital economy and Hong Kong’s efforts to build itself as a technology hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Industry Opportunities

Franchising Opportunities

Numerous U.S. franchisors that have expressed interest in building their footprint in Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China are currently interested in meeting potential investors.

If you are interested in learning more about different franchising options, please get in touch with  Commercial Specialist, Natalie Tong at Natalie.Tong@trade.gov, and learn about Hong Kong’s franchising guidelines through our Country Commercial Guide.

Please explore the following resources that are always available to you:

Country Research

Industry Research

Attend a Trade Event

How-to-Export Resources

Learn About our Export Services