The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its overseas trade and investment office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macau SAR, supported a business seminar and luncheon aimed at enhancing economic collaboration between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
The event, titled “Building a Stronger Future: The Synergistic Power of Fintech and Logistics,” was held in the Philippines on Feb. 14.
Organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Indonesia (HKETO-Jakarta), in partnership with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) through its Manila Consultant Office, the seminar gathered around 200 participants. Attendees included representatives from the Philippine government, business sector, academia, cultural organizations, and media.
HKETO Jakarta Director General Libera Cheng emphasized the robust economic ties between the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR, highlighting the deepening economic and social connections between the two regions.
She reported that bilateral trade in goods between the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR reached $13.9 billion in 2024. Hong Kong SAR is the Philippines’ fifth-largest trading partner and third-largest export market.
“The Philippines is Hong Kong SAR’s largest source of tourist arrivals from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We welcomed nearly 1.2 million Filipino visitors last year, significantly surpassing pre-pandemic levels,” Cheng said.
She also noted that the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) connects to five major cities in the Philippines, facilitating travel and trade. Cheng added that the Skytopia airport city plan will transform HKIA into a world-class commercial and logistics hub, further strengthening its role as an international gateway.
Former DTI E-Commerce Group Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco delivered the keynote address at the event, underscoring the importance of fintech and logistics in fostering economic collaboration between the two regions.
Meanwhile, Foreign Trade Service Officer Ms. Beatrice Alexa G. Karamihan participated in a panel discussion moderated by HKETO Jakarta Acting Deputy Director (Commercial Relations) Ms. Ida Ho. The discussion focused on the latest developments in key sectors and explored potential cooperation between the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR.
Other notable attendees included Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Lopez Cayetano, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Mr. Huang Xilian, HKTDC Regional Director for Southeast Asia and South Asia Mr. Ronald Ho, and senior representatives from major business chambers in the Philippines.
The HKETO promotes Hong Kong SAR’s economic and trade interests while managing trade and investment relations with four Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines.
For more information, email the PTIC-HK at hongkong@dti.gov.ph, or visit our official Facebook account at DTI Hong Kong.
