Exporters in Hong Kong are showing increased confidence in the current trading environment amid recent de-escalation in global trade tensions, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) latest survey.

The council on Thursday announced its Export Confidence Index for the third quarter of 2025. According to the survey, the Current Performance Index, which shows how exporters viewed their business performance in the third quarter of this year, was 53.3, up 3.7 points compared to the last quarter. The Expectation Index, which shows how exporters see their likely prospects in the coming quarter, also increased 5.3 points to stand at 54.3.

READ MORE: HKTDC: HK products enjoy favorable evaluations from mainland online shoppers

A reading above 50 reflects an optimistic outlook, while anything below 50 indicates a pessimistic outlook.

The HKTDC said this was the highest reading for the two metrics since the introduction of its upgraded Export Confidence Index in January 2024.

However, Irina Fan Yuen-yee, the HKTDC’s director of research, said “it’s essential that we bear in mind that the better-than-expected export performance in the first seven months of the year was driven largely by the front-loading trade strategy, the benefits of which will recede over the coming months.”

READ MORE: About 90% of HK SMEs to maintain or increase investment in Q3

According to data released by the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong’s export value recorded year-on-year growth of 12.7 percent in the first seven months of 2025.

Frank Leung Yat-cheong, permanent honorary president of the Federation of Hong Kong Footwear, suggested that local manufacturers should improve their investment in developing channels and sales markets, such in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and Latin America.

Contact the writer at thor_wu@chinadailyhk.com