Updates from Hong Kong: July 2023
From the Deputy Commercial Consul, Paul Frost.
The end of an era for our office has come, as we recently bade farewell to our Senior Commercial Officer, Bradley Harker. His four-year tour included the protests in 2019 followed by the long, painful pandemic. But Brad characteristically took advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the experience and to make his mark. His legacy is the creation of a refocused, re-energized team that is creating new opportunities and opening new markets for the United States. We wish him well in his new post in Toronto!
As we begin preparations for our incoming Senior Commercial Officer Geoffrey Parish to arrive in August, we were thrilled to welcome our newest Commercial Specialist Nicole Yan. Nicole’s background and photo are in the newsletter below; we are excited to have her on our team.
This past month’s highlights include the 247th Independence Day celebrations in Hong Kong and Macau. Both events were fun-filled gatherings for our closest partners and contacts. It was particularly gratifying to return to Macau with Consul General May to Macau for the first time since 2019, as the pandemic precluded travel there.
Additionally, we hosted the first Certified Trade Mission in Hong Kong since 2019 for U.S. alternative asset funds to meet family offices and institutional investors. The event was so popular that we needed to place additional tables in the hotel ballroom to facilitate more matchmaking meetings.
We are gearing up for a busy and productive second half of 2023, with many events, trade missions, and services to our clients. As always, please reach out if we can assist you.
Welcome, new Commercial Specialist, Nicole Yan
Nicole Yan recently joined out team as Commercial Specialist. She will be leading the FinTech, Media and Entertainment, Business and Professional Services, and Safety & Security.
Prior to joining the U.S. Commercial Service, Nicole worked in the event management and music copyright industry for several years. Following this experience, she joined the Economic and Commercial Mission at the Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong, where she focused on connecting Israeli startups to Hong Kong corporates.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Nicole speaks Cantonese, English and Mandarin. She received her Bachelor of Business from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. In her free time, she likes to practice training tricks with her dog, table tennis and explore the culinary world.
Drop Nicole a line at nicole.yan@trade.gov if she is your sector specialist.
Upcoming Commercial Service Events
AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, July 23-27, 2023.
The U.S. Commercial Service is recruiting international delegates to attend the 2023 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo. The AACC is one of the most important events in the medical laboratory industry. Taking place at the Anaheim, California Convention Center, the program will focus on the latest research and changes in the industry in the form of lectures, plenary sessions, scientific sessions and roundtable discussions.
Delegates can also connect with industry leaders in clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of breaking science in laboratory medicine. So far, more than 800 exhibitors and 200 new products and services are scheduled to be unveiled during this year’s event. We invite clinical lab professional across Hong Kong to attend AACC. Please email Natalie Tong at natalie.tong@trade.gov for more information.
Superzoo, August August 15-18, 2023.
Hong Kong is one of Asia’s biggest markets for pet care surpassing Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. Even through the pandemic, the pet care market witnessed a double-digit growth in 2022. Pet parents are continuously opting for healthier, nutritious and organic food. If you are keen to learn more about the latest pet trends, we are still calling for delegates to join us at SuperZoo, the most enjoyable and lovable trade show of the year. The show runs from August 15-18, 2023 in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.
SuperZoo, the largest pet retail event in North America is organized by World Pet Association since 1950. The show attracts more than 1,000 exhibitors and 20,000 attendees. With more than 100 educational sessions, easy-to-navigate floor show, a special area dedicated for grooming and exotic pets, the show is not to be missed for those who are in the pet business. Please e-mail Natalie Tong at natalie.tong@trade.gov if you are interested to join our SuperZoo delegation.
Medica, Dusseldorf November 13-16, 2023
Medica 2023 is one of the largest medical B2B fairs globally with 4,500 exhibitors and 81,000 attendees. The U.S. Commercial has developed the Corporate Executive Officer (CEO) Center Program, a turnkey program specific to this conference to help U.S. companies maximize business prospects.
Through this program, companies are given a shared or standalone exhibition booth, one-on-one counseling and market research with our healthcare specialists, business matchmaking, inclusion in the CEO Center Program brochure and full access to the International Trade Center including translation services.
Attendees can expect to see the unleashing of a wide range of innovative products and services from the fields of medical imaging, laboratory technology, diagnostics, health IT, mobile health, and physiotherapy/orthopedics, and medical consumables. For more information about Medica, please contact Natalie Tong at Natalie.Tong@trade.gov
WEFTEC, September 30-October 4, 2023
There is nothing as essential as clean water. Between September 30- October 4, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) is scheduled to take place in Chicago, Illinois. As the largest conference of its kind in North America, this event brings together more than 20,000 water quality specialists, thought leaders, and 1,000 exhibitors from various countries to deliver essential industry insights. This is a great opportunity to discover the latest technologies and solutions, connect with peers and key decision makers, and expand your media presence.
The 2023 expo and conference will feature innovative products, specialized equipment and services. The exhibition section will host product pavilions, workshops, live demonstrations, and competitions like the Operations Challenge. The conference program will deliver insights through forums, interactive presentations, panel discussions and learning exchanges.
If you would like more information about WEFTEC or are interested in attending, please contact Maggie Lau at maggie.lau@trade.gov.
CEATEC, Chiba, October 17-20, 2023
CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) is an annual trade show in Japan that showcases the latest in IT and electronics. Regarded as the Japanese equivalent of CES, CEATEC is Japan’s largest IT and electronics exhibition and conference.
CEATEC 2023 is scheduled to take place from October 17-20 in Chiba, Japan. This year’s conference will focus be a” showcase for Society 5.0” across different industries and sectors. Witness the intersection of visions, concepts, and businesses of the future that thrives on cutting-edge technologies such as the adoption Web 3.0, Metaverse, robots, and artificial intelligence.
Companies in tech should attend CEATEC to stay up to date with the latest advancements in technology and to showcase their own products and services. It’s a great opportunity to network with other industry professionals and to learn about new trends and developments in the field. For more information about CEATEC, please contact Boris Meyer at Boris.Meyer@trade.gov.
Recent Highlights
Independence Day Celebration Hong Kong, Marriott Ocean Park, June 21, 2023
After a four-year hiatus, the U.S. Consulate General of Hong Kong and Macau celebrated its 247th Independence Day anniversary at the Marriott Ocean Park on June 21, 2023.
Consul General May welcomed guests of honor including Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Legislative Council member Tommy Cheung, former Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Democratic Party founding chairman Martin Lee, Former Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau Kurt Tong, and former U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus.
Attended by more than 700 distinguished guests, this year’s theme was Visit America – the Great American Road Trip. Guests journeyed across different regions of America and enjoyed Instagram worthy pictures taken with iconic pop-ups such as driving in a Chevrolet, strutting across Broadway and tasting special regional delicacies.
It was truly an unforgettable evening for those who attended.
Independence Day Celebration Macau, MGM, June 29, 2023.
We hosted a very special Fourth of July celebration at the Grand Ballroom of the MGM Macau on June 29, 2023, where we had the opportunity to catch up with our closest trade partners and associates. This celebration also coincided with Consul General Gregory May’s first visit to Macau since starting his term as Consul General in September 2022.
The Consul General had the unique opportunity to learn about the historical ties between the U.S. and Macau. Now that COVID_19 restrictions have been fully lifted, we are anticipating for more trade activities with Macau as the Consul General mentioned in his speech that we will be focusing on rebuilding ties with Macau.
Site Visit to the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO), June 5, 2023
The U.S. Commercial Service team and Consul General Gregory May recently visited the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO), where we had the opportunity to see how airplanes are maintained and serviced in Hong Kong. HAECO is Hong Kong’s largest and one of the world’s leading independent aircraft engineering and maintenance companies. Located at the Hong Kong International Airport, it was founded in Hong Kong in 1950 and has 27 locations worldwide.
Our team continues to build connections in Hong Kong’s robust logistics industry. If you need information about logistics in Hong Kong, contact Commercial Specialist Michael Wajntal at michael.wajntal@trade.gov. To learn more about best prospects in the logistics industry in Hong Kong, please go to our Country Commercial Guide.
Certified Trade Mission, Hong Kong, June 7-8, 2023
 On June 7, the U.S. Commercial Service in Hong Kong and TradeMissions.org hosted a networking reception at the U.S. Consul General’s residence to introduce 15 U.S. alternative asset fund managers to over 100 family offices, institutional investors, and other top finance executives from Hong Kong and Macau.
The Certified Trade Mission continued the next day at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Wanchai. Participating fund managers were given the opportunity to present their diverse investment portfolios to investors in a highly structured and efficient speed dating format.
Building on the success of this event, we will once again partner with TradeMissions.org to organize another Certified Trade Mission in November 2023 with an emphasis on blockchain-specific funds. To learn more about this upcoming event, please contact Boris Meyer at boris.meyer@trade.gov.
AMCHAM – U.S. Commercial Service Healthcare Mixer, June 27,2023
 The U.S. Commercial Service recently partnered with AMCHAM Hong Kong’s healthcare committee to host a social mixer for the healthcare industry at the Consul General’s residence. The mixer brought together 40 leading U.S. healthcare and pharma companies, top Hong Kong medical distributors, associations, hospitals, and healthcare practitioners.
Healthcare is a priority sector for the U.S. Commercial Service team. In 2021, Hong Kong imported over US$ 3 billion in medical products, of which about US$ 500 million came from the United States. Hong Kong’s elderly population of 65 years and older is increasing rapidly and is expected to make up over 30% of Hong Kong’s total population by 2031. Please refer to our Country Commercial Guide to learn more about opportunities in the sector, and read below about our plans for a Medical Device Pitchbook later this year.
Cocktail Reception Meeting with the Regional and Branch Directors of HKTDC’s Global Network, June 27, 2023
 The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) was pleased to attend Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Reception Meeting. After a four-year hiatus, the event brought together HKTDC regional and brand directors globally to Hong Kong. This event gave our office an opportunity to reconnect with several of HKTDC’s leaders. We look forward to more partnership opportunities with HKTDC.
The United States involvement in Hong Kong’s economy is long-lasting and multi-faceted. Nearly 1,300 U.S. companies have an office in Hong Kong. In trade terms, in 2022, U.S. goods exports to Hong Kong totaled US$26.5 billion, while U.S. goods imports from Hong Kong totaled US$5.1 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Hong Kong was US$21.4 billion in 2022. In investment terms, U.S. direct investment in Hong Kong stands at US$86.8 billion and Hong Kong's investment in the United States is US$14.4 billion. Every year, we bring a delegation of Hong Kong companies that are interested in investing in the U.S. to our flagship SelectUSA Investment Summit.
Industry News
 Hong Kong Science Park is looking to work with Cleaning Automation Solution Providers
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is launching the “Robots Everywhere” program from June to October 2023. This initiative aims to partner with companies that are focused on sustainable cleaning innovation technologies as HKSTP aspires to accelerate the adoption of automated solutions for campus cleaning.
Through the “Robots Everywhere” program, HKSTP wished to work with both locals and overseas enterprises to transform itself into a smart campus with enhanced operational efficiency in facility management. We would like to invite U.S. companies who are in the forefront of sustainable cleaning and automation solutions to take advantage of this opportunity. To learn more about this initiative, please contact Commercial Specialist, Maggie Wong at maggie.wong@trade.gov
2023-2024 U.S. Medical Devices Pitchbook
The U.S. Commercial Service Healthcare Team is looking to develop a brand-new Medical Device Pitchbook to help U.S. exporters launch or expand their products in Hong Kong. Last year, we introduced 11 new medical device companies to Hong Kong through our pilot initiative. We are currently looking to work with companies in three specific categories which are chronic disease management, geriatric care and physical therapy.
The population of persons aged 65 and above in Hong Kong is projected to increase from 20% in 2021 to 32% in 2041. While healthcare spending is projected to increase, the Hospital Authority and Hong Kong Health Bureau are widely looking for ways to adopt innovative solutions such as telehealth services and automations to meet workforce challenges.
For more information about the 2023-2024 Pitchbook, please contact Natalie Tong at natalie.tong@trade.gov.
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