The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) hosted a business seminar and luncheon in Manila on February 14, spotlighting the role of fintech and logistics in strengthening economic ties between Hong Kong and the Philippines.

The event, titled “Building a Stronger Future: The Synergistic Power of Fintech and Logistics,” also celebrated the Year of the Snake, drawing about 200 attendees from government, business, academia, media, and cultural sectors.

In her opening remarks, HKETO Jakarta director-general Libera Cheng underscored Hong Kong’s deepening commercial and people-to-people ties with the Philippines. Bilateral trade in goods reached $13.9 billion last year, making Hong Kong the Philippines’ fifth-largest trading partner and third-largest export market.

“The Philippines is Hong Kong’s largest source of tourist arrivals from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We welcomed close to 1.2-million Filipino visitors last year, far exceeding pre-pandemic levels,” Cheng said.

“Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is connected to five major cities in the Philippines, not only enabling tourists to visit Hong Kong with ease, but also serving as an important international gateway to the Philippines,” she added.

Cheng highlighted fintech and logistics as key drivers of economic growth, citing Hong Kong chief executive John Lee’s 2024 Policy Address, which introduced measures to expand e-commerce opportunities. Initiatives include widening the E-commerce Easy program to ASEAN markets and launching a Hong Kong Shopping Festival in the region to support small- and medium-sized enterprises.

She also encouraged Philippine businesses to tap into Hong Kong’s investor-friendly policies, such as last year’s liquor duty rate reduction and HKIA’s world-class gold storage facilities, reinforcing the city’s status as a global financial and trade hub.

A panel discussion, moderated by HKETO Jakarta acting deputy director (commercial relations) Ida Ho, featured industry leaders exploring the latest sector developments and collaboration opportunities.

Notable attendees included Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Mary Jean Pacheco, Taguig Mayor Maria Laarni Lopez Cayetano, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council regional director for Southeast Asia and South Asia Ronald Ho, alongside senior representatives from local business chambers.