John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will visit Phnom Penh from July 30-31. Supplied
A high-profile delegation from Hong Kong, led by John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), is set to visit Phnom Penh from July 30-31.
The trip, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), aims to bolster economic ties and explore new business opportunities between the two sides, according to a July 23 HKTDC press release.
The delegation will comprise senior HKSAR government officials and around 30 leaders from top international, Chinese and Hong Kong enterprises. These companies represent sectors including finance, innovation and technology, professional services, infrastructure, transport, logistics, energy and hospitality, the release noted.
It said the visit will include meetings with local business leaders and key corporations to discuss potential collaborations. Highlighting Hong Kong's role as a superconnector between China and the world, the delegation aims to strengthen trade and investment relationships.
HKTDC chairman Peter Lam emphasised the importance of the visit in fostering stronger ties between Cambodia and Hong Kong.
“Our aim with this visit is to strengthen the bond between Cambodia and Hong Kong, and in doing so expand the economic ties between Hong Kong and the ASEAN region. As this year marks the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, this mission carries extra significance," he was quoted as saying in the release.
It highlighted that Hong Kong's strategy involves leveraging its position as an international finance, trade, investment and cultural exchange hub to support the growth of Cambodia's private sector and digital economy. The initiative aims to drive resilient and sustainable development, unlocking opportunities for Cambodian businesses to access the mainland market.
According to the release, trade between Hong Kong and Cambodia has been robust, with Cambodia ranking as Hong Kong’s 7th largest import and export market in ASEAN in 2023, with a value of $893.4 million.
The visit is part of a broader ASEAN mission from July 28 to August 2, which will also include visits to Laos and Vietnam. The delegation will explore opportunities for collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
"Since its establishment in 1966, the HKTDC has prioritised building connections between Hong Kong and the world through business and trade. That includes Cambodia, where we seek to strengthen trade and investment relationships with the goal of fostering mutual prosperity and economic development,” Lam stated.
As part of its global mission, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in both the mainland and international markets. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in mainland China, the council promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub, as per the press release.
