HONG KONG – The mega promotion “In Style Hong Kong” is making its debut in the Thai capital Bangkok, starting this month.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the campaign will engage business leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as consumers in Thailand to showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant lifestyle and creativity and explain how the city’s world-class services can help Thai companies expand overseas, especially to the Chinese mainland.
“Thailand is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia. As the country’s capital, Bangkok is a commercial hub in Asia with a thriving retail market,” said Dannie Chiu, Regional Director, Southeast Asia & India, HKTDC, at today’s press conference.
Chiu added that the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), HKTDC can expect to see greater potential for cooperation between Hong Kong and Thailand.
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“In Style Hong Kong aims to strengthen economic and trading ties between Hong Kong and Thailand, capitalising on all forms of growth opportunities. We look forward to bringing the best of Hong Kong’s services and products to Thailand as the HKTDC celebrates its 50th anniversary,” Chiu added.
The “In Style Hong Kong” Symposium, on 6 October, will highlight Hong Kong’s advantages as a trendsetting hub, and reveal the potential of Hong Kong services sectors as partners for Thai companies.
An invitation-only Gala Dinner will be held for 450 members of the business community, while a citywide promotion will combine retail and gourmet specials at venues across Bangkok for the public.
The promotion aims to deepen the already strong trade links between Thailand and Hong Kong, which is consistently rated as the world’s freest economy by the United States-based Heritage Foundation. In 2015, bilateral trade between the two economies reached US$17.18 billion.
In Style Hong Kong Services Under the Spotlight
Rimsky Yuen, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, will officiate at the opening session of “In Style Hong Kong” (6 Oct) at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok.
Following the opening session, Hong Kong business leaders including Royce Yuen, CEO, MaLogic; Jason Chiu, CEO, cherrypicks; Dr King Fai Pang, Group President and Executive Director, VTech Holdings Ltd; and Chansak Fuangfu, Senior Executive Vice President and Director, Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd, will offer insights on how Hong Kong can facilitate the business expansion of Thai companies.
Services sector leaders and professionals from Thailand and Hong Kong will speak at five thematic sessions:
The Fast Track to E-commerce Logistics
The establishment of the AEC is helping to fine-tune Asia’s supply chain network. Meanwhile, cross-border trade, particularly e-commerce development, is also driving huge changes in the traditional logistics industry and distribution networks. Hong Kong can facilitate Thai companies to tap these opportunities. Participants of this session will include moderator, Ruth Banomyong, Associate Professor, Department of International Business, Logistics & Transport, Thammasat University; and speakers Gary So, Deputy Managing Director, Kerry Logistics; Vincent Cheung, President, BPS Global Group; Michelle Leung, Senior Vice President, Fung Omni Services; and James Chang, Chief Operations Officer, Cross-border, Lazada Hong Kong.
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RMB Internationalisation and Corporate Treasury
As the premier offshore renminbi centre with proximity to the Chinese mainland, the session will explain Hong Kong’s advantages to attract companies to set up their corporate treasury centres in the city, in turn deepening the offshore renminbi capital markets. Speakers will include Yuthadej Putamanonda, Managing Director and Head of Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Thailand; Chen Shuang, Executive Director and CEO, China Everbright Ltd; Council Member, Financial Services Development Council, Hong Kong; and Kanit Si, Executive Vice President, Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd.
The Belt and Road Initiative: Digital Framework for Connecting Smart Cities
At this seminar, experts will share the latest developments in cross-border payment instruments, smart identity, smart-city infrastructure, interoperability and legal framework, which are essential in strengthening connectivity among smart cities. Eva Chan, Vice Chairperson, Hong Kong Public Key Infrastructure and Surangkana Wayuparb, Executive Director & CEO, Electronic Transactions Development Agency, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Thailand will deliver remarks. Speakers will include Clarence Hui, Senior Manager, Financial Infrastructure Development, Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Chaichana Mitrpant, Deputy Executive Director, Electronic Transactions Development Agency, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Thailand; and Eric Yeung, Convener, Smart City Consortium.
Integrating Creativity with Innovation
Unlock Asia’s Business Success in the Digital Era with Jason Chiu, CEO, cherrypicks Ltd as the moderator and Tommy Li, Creative Director, Tommy Li Design Workshop Ltd; Keith Lam, co-founder, Dimension Plus; and Francis Kwok, founder and CEO, Radica Systems Ltd as speakers, Thai companies will gain insights into digital marketing, including innovative branding strategies, big data and new media with art and design.
Legal Risk Management: Key to International Trade and Investment
Experts will share tips on how Thai enterprises can protect their intellectual property and settle cross-border business disputes through arbitration in Hong Kong. Speakers will include Denis Brock, Council Member, The Law Society of Hong Kong; Pui-Ki Emmanuelle Ta, Counsel of the Secretariat, International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce – Asia Office; Winnie Tam, SC, Barrister-at-law, Arbitrator and Mediator, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association. – BusinessNewsAsia.com