The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) pledged to use more professional services to help more local goods reach markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The move comes as the organization expects corporate overseas expansion to be a focus of the city’s development next year.

Speaking at a conference on Wednesday, FHKI Chairman Anthony Lam said many companies pursuing global expansion often have sufficient funds and products, but lack the “last mile” — an understanding of overseas market regulations and local conditions.

To connect Hong Kong’s industry with the world, FHKI will focus on helping companies go global, with particular support for local firms seeking new markets, Lam said. The companies will also work closely with Chinese mainland partners to explore opportunities together, he added.

The federation in September launched “global connect”, a platform to help enterprises comply with regulations during overseas expansion, and to help manage risks.

“Expanding globally inevitably requires professional services such as legal, accounting, tax, and certification support,” FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman Ricky Chan said. “Within the federation, there are intellectual property centers and certification departments that can provide enterprises with diagnosis, matching and referral services.”

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The organization also teamed up with the ASEAN Council to provide on-the-ground support for companies establishing operations in ASEAN markets. It also acts on behalf of Hong Kong businesses to liaise with local government departments and relevant agencies.

Lam said that the goal is to enhance collaboration between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries, fostering economic diversification in areas like commodity trading, the halal industry, and cultural commerce.

Lawmaker-elect Wong Wing-wai said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is leveraging its robust common law system, internationally aligned financial systems, highly open markets, and diverse professional talent to serve as a superconnector and super-value-added platform, offering innovative advice and solutions for enterprises expanding overseas.

To better support Chinese mainland enterprises in their bids to go global, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has established a one-stop platform, the GoGlobal Task Force, integrating Hong Kong’s overseas offices, including those under Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices on the Chinese mainland, to proactively attract Chinese mainland enterprises seeking to expand their overseas business to “go global via Hong Kong”.

“Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages, we will contribute to the national development, and deepen international exchanges and cooperation by connecting with the Chinese mainland and the world. We will also attract more enterprises to use Hong Kong to expand overseas, thereby creating business opportunities and economic returns,” Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his Policy Address in September.

Contact the writer at akirawang@chinadailyhk.com