Hong Kong and Indonesia Strengthen Economic Ties for Mutual Growth

In early January 2025, Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, led a delegation of 120 professionals from the financial services, innovation and technology, and business sectors on a visit to Indonesia. The primary objective was to enhance business collaboration and bilateral cooperation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Indonesia.

Promoting Business Collaboration

During the visit, Mr. Chan emphasized the importance of fostering mutually beneficial opportunities for both regions. He highlighted that Hong Kong businesses could explore the Indonesian market, while Indonesian enterprises could leverage Hong Kong's strategic position to access the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and broader Mainland China and North Asian markets.

Strategic Positioning of Hong Kong

Operating under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong serves as a Special Administrative Region of China, offering seamless access to both Mainland and international markets. This unique status enables businesses to benefit from strong connectivity between East and West. The rapid development of the GBA, encompassing Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong Province, further enhances these opportunities.

Investment Opportunities and Infrastructure Development

Mr. Chan also discussed Hong Kong's potential role in supporting Indonesia's ambitious infrastructure projects. He suggested that Hong Kong could serve as a fundraising center, facilitating the listing of infrastructure projects on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange or securitizing infrastructure loans. Additionally, Hong Kong is eager to share its expertise in planning, building, and operating large-scale infrastructure projects with Indonesian partners.

Youth Engagement and Innovation

Recognizing the importance of youth engagement, Mr. Chan expressed a desire to promote exchanges between young people from both regions. He proposed offering more scholarships for Indonesian and ASEAN students to study in Hong Kong, with the aim of fostering future collaborations and strengthening bilateral relations.

Conclusion

The visit underscores the commitment of both Hong Kong and Indonesia to deepen their economic ties and explore new avenues for collaboration. By leveraging each other's strengths and strategic positions, both regions aim to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity in the coming years.