The latest economic data reflects the resilience of Hong Kong’s economy. In March 2026, overall merchandise export and import values jumped year-over-year by 35.8% and 41.2% respectively, with first-quarter GDP growing by 5.9%. Yau stated that Hong Kong has risen to the world’s fifth-largest merchandise trading economy. This solidifies Hong Kong’s position as an international economic and trade hub, able to deliver strong support for enterprises to enter global markets via Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Government offers a full range of policy support for global expansion. The GoGlobal Task Force actively attracts key Mainland enterprises to set up entities in Hong Kong, helping them gradually build corporate functions and business operations that meet overseas market standards and fully prepare for global outreach. Since its launch last October, the GoGlobal Task Force has been promoting collaboration across government bureaus, departments and organizations. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), one of its members, has officially rolled out the GoGlobal cross-sectoral professional services platform. It assembles eight categories of Hong Kong professional service providers, covering legal, accounting, financial, testing and certification and other fields, to precisely match the service needs of Mainland enterprises expanding overseas and deliver professional, customized consulting services.

 

Yau noted that the GoGlobal Task Force has also signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Ministry of Commerce to help enterprises build international compliance frameworks. It supports corporate global market engagement through the integrated three-tier network of overseas economic and trade offices, Invest Hong Kong and the HKTDC.

Meanwhile, the GoGlobal Task Force has held three Steering Committee meetings and launched a series of follow-up initiatives, including themed promotion events hosted in Hong Kong and the Mainland provinces and cities. As of April, more than ten promotion events have been held, attracting over 3,000 representatives from Mainland enterprises. Many have expressed interest in entering global markets through Hong Kong.
 

Yau emphasized that Hong Kong will create tailored global expansion solutions for enterprises based on the specific demands of different overseas markets. The GoGlobal Task Force will continue to push forward all related work, focusing on recruiting strategically valuable Mainland enterprises to establish operations in Hong Kong. It will keep hosting industry-themed promotion and matching events in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and invite Mainland enterprises to join overseas study tours, allowing them to gain first-hand understanding of local market conditions.

 

This year marks the planning phase for the national 15th Five-Year Plan, with the central government explicitly supporting Hong Kong to strengthen its status as an international financial, shipping and trade center. Yau said the GoGlobal Task Force will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages, align Hong Kong’s strengths with national development needs, turn global expansion services into a new growth driver for Hong Kong’s economy, and fuel robust growth for Hong Kong’s professional services sector. He encouraged the business community to make full use of the GoGlobal Task Force and seize global expansion opportunities during the national 15th Five-Year Plan period. 
 

Earlier this year, the HKTDC surveyed over 2,000 enterprises across the Chinese Mainland. More than 80% (83%) said they planned to go global using Hong Kong’s professional services — a sharp increase from 62% in 2023. Responding to the rapidly rising demand for global expansion, the HKTDC launched the “GoGlobal Connect” this April.

 

By drawing on resources from its 51 global offices, the platform upgrades service offerings, helps Mainland enterprises connect efficiently with Hong Kong professional service providers, jointly explore global business opportunities, and elevate Hong Kong’s role as a strategic platform. The platform has officially settled at the HKTDC’s SME Service Center and is now following up on more than 100 corporate inquiries regarding global expansion.