HK products wins hearts among ASEAN consumers: HKTDC research director

ASEAN consumers have a notably positive impression towards Hong Kong-made products, as well as a frequent buying habit, according to Irina Fan Yuen-yee, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) director of research.

Fan's comment came after a HKTDC survey published on Tuesday, which interviewed over 1,800 ASEAN consumers between June and July last year. 

Speaking on a radio program, Fan underlined the city's advantage in the ASEAN e-commerce sector, citing that almost 70 percent of respondents had purchased at least one item from Hong Kong online in the past 12 months.

Fan believed the findings could assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in better understanding consumer behavior and perceptions of their products, enabling them to develop new business strategies. 

Fan also suggested that SMEs focus on the markets in Thailand and Indonesia, where consumers have a high appreciation of Hong Kong products.

As the ASEAN region has the fastest growing e-commerce market in the world, Fan mentioned that the HKTDC will continue to examine the market opportunities and the challenges that SMEs might face.

Additionally, Fan highlighted the HKTDC Design Gallery Online Shop is set to launch sales in Singapore and Malaysia in the upcoming 2025/26 year, with plans to expand to Thailand at an appropriate time to assist local companies in entering global e-commerce markets.

To support local businesses in exploring the mainland e-commerce market, Fan mentioned that  E-Commerce Express will be launched this year, offering a series of specialized training seminars and one-on-one advisory services to enhance their operational skills on e-commerce platforms.