HKTDC: Mainland enterprises actively seize ASEAN business opportunities Hong Kong's professional services help enterprises develop overseas

The Zhitong Finance App learned that Hong Kong Trade Development Council research director Pang Ming said that ASEAN has become the main destination for mainland enterprises seeking international business growth. The company not only focuses on expanding sales networks, but also actively arranging regional supply chains, investing in higher value-added businesses, and exploring development opportunities in emerging industries, such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and new energy sources.

As cross-market operations become increasingly complex, enterprises are in high demand for Hong Kong's professional services, further consolidating Hong Kong's role as a “super contact” and “super value-added person” to help enterprises seize development opportunities in ASEAN and other overseas markets.

The survey shows that when entering the ASEAN market, mainland enterprises are particularly in need of support in legal and accounting compliance, marketing, e-commerce, supply chain management, financing and risk management. Of the companies interested in going to ASEAN to further expand their business, 83% said they plan to use Hong Kong's professional services to support the development of ASEAN business.

In various ASEAN markets, Malaysia has attracted the favor of mainland companies. According to the survey, Malaysia is one of the main destinations for manufacturing and service companies to expand the ASEAN market, particularly attracting companies in the fields of semiconductors, industrial materials, AI, and other innovative industries.

In terms of bilateral investment, by the end of 2025, Hong Kong was Malaysia's second largest source of foreign investment after Singapore, with a cumulative total of US$34.8 billion in direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia. In the same year, Hong Kong also ranked second in net direct investment inflows to Malaysia, after Singapore.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will host the flagship overseas promotion event “Achieve Opportunities. Prefer Hong Kong” in Kuala Lumpur on August 11 to bring together business leaders, investors, I&T business representatives, professional service providers and policy makers from Malaysia and Hong Kong to exchange views, discuss investment and business opportunities, and establish new cross-border partnerships.