Hong Kong opens economic and trade office in Kuala Lumpur to boost ASEAN ties

(ECNS) -- Hong Kong officially opened its Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, strengthening ties with Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah officiated at the ceremony during his visit to Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur ETO is Hong Kong's 15th overseas office and the fourth in ASEAN, covering Malaysia, Brunei, Laos and Pakistan. It will work with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, InvestHK and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to deepen government and business linkages.

On the same day, the HKTDC held its flagship overseas promotional event in Kuala Lumpur, attracting nearly 1,600 business leaders from Hong Kong and Malaysia. The seminar offered Malaysian companies opportunities to connect with capital, expand business networks and establish cross-border partnerships, using Hong Kong as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese mainland and global markets.

Yau said Hong Kong and Malaysia are "not just trading partners, but strategic partners in shaping the future economy," citing cooperation potential in innovation, technology and green development. Multiple memoranda of understanding were signed between Hong Kong and Malaysian media organizations and chambers of commerce.

(By Tang Yuxian)