HK promotes professional services in Indonesia and Malaysia to boost Belt and Road Cooperation

The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Nicholas Ho, led a delegation of business and professional leaders to Indonesia and Malaysia this week to explore infrastructure collaboration opportunities under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

The visit, which concluded on June 26, was aimed at showcasing Hong Kong’s expertise in financing, engineering, and project management for large-scale developments.

The delegation met with senior officials in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, including Malaysia’s Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, to discuss infrastructure plans such as the development of Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara, and Malaysia’s mass transit projects.

They also visited investment agencies and attended business networking events, during which Hong Kong firms signed 21 memoranda of understanding with local partners covering professional services and commercial cooperation.

Ho emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” between global investors and Southeast Asia, highlighting its strengths in legal, financial, and logistics services that align with international standards. 

He noted that ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner and pointed out the strong demand for Hong Kong’s expertise in public-private partnerships due to major projects underway.

The trip also included a visit to a Hong Kong-funded data center in Jakarta, underscoring opportunities in digital infrastructure under the BRI’s Digital Silk Road initiative. 

Supported by a government subsidy scheme, the delegation included small and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting Hong Kong’s push to expand regional business ties.

The visit is in line with Hong Kong’s 2024 policy goals to deepen engagement with BRI markets, with future trade missions planned to further strengthen economic partnerships across the region.