(KPL) A delegation led by Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will visit Vientiane in Laos on 28-30 July.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the delegation will include HKSAR Government principal officials, and some 30 leaders of leading international, Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong enterprises and conglomerates operating in finance and insurance; innovation and technology; professional services; infrastructure, transport and logistics; energy and hospitality.

During the visit, the delegates will visit key locations in and around Vientiane to better understand the latest socio-economic developments of Laos and the impact of the Belt and Road expansion. Additionally, they will meet local chambers of commerce to explore business opportunities, leveraging Hong Kong’s superconnector role linking China and the world.

Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman, said, “Since its establishment in 1966, the HKTDC has prioritised building connections between Hong Kong and the world through business and trade. 2024 marks the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which makes this visit especially meaningful. Our aim with this visit is to strengthen the bond between Laos and Hong Kong, and in doing so strengthen broader economic ties between ASEAN and Hong Kong. We seek to discuss trade and economic opportunities and enhance cultural exchange between Laos and Hong Kong.”

Hong Kong, as an international finance, trade, investment and cultural exchange hub bridging Mainland China and the world, seeks to build upon the close relationship between Mainland China and Laos by providing opportunities for Lao businesses to reach the mainland market. In particular, the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone and the 15-day visa-free policy for Chinese tourists to visit Laos are expected to bring about new opportunities for business and tourism.

Hong Kong aims to reinforce partnerships with Laos to support the growth of Lao SMEs in areas, such as banking, digital finance, logistics and e-commerce by helping them build capacity, find partners and explore new markets.

The visit to Laos builds on the success of previous ASEAN missions to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia in 2023 and Thailand in 2022.

It is part of a wider mission to ASEAN taking place from 28 July to 2 August, during which the Hong Kong delegation will also visit Cambodia and Vietnam to strengthen trade and economic cooperation and cultural exchange between ASEAN and Hong Kong.

Opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) through mutually beneficial collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative will also be explored.

ASEAN is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner in merchandise trade, with a total trade volume of US$145 billion [HK$1,131.7 billion] in 2023.

An international finance and business hub in the heart of Asia, Hong Kong serves as a bridge between Mainland China and the rest of the world. Development plans, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and GBA create many arising opportunities, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as superconnector.

KPL