1. Hong Kong & HKTDC: Your Perfect Partners in Belt and Road Business
William Chui
Regional Director, Europe
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Mr Tsvetan Simeonov [Seff-’Dan ’Si-Meon-Nov], Sam, Paula, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon, and welcome you all at the Hong Kong Business Seminar in Sofia. I have recently been appointed HKTDC’s Regional Director Europe based in Frankfurt. This is a good opportunity to visit Sofia and to get to know you.

2. Outline Bulgaria and Hong Kong
What Does Belt and Road Mean to Bulgarian Companies?
Capture Belt and Road Opportunities via HKTDC 2

3. Bulgaria and Hong Kong: Quick Comparison
Bulgaria Hong Kong
Area (km2) 110,370 1,104
Population (million)
GDP (US$ billion)
GDP per capita (US$) 7, ,400
Total trade (US$ billion) 55 1,146 3

4. Bulgaria and Hong Kong: Growing Trading Ties
US$million
Year
Trading ties between Bulgaria and Hong Kong has seen a steady growth. Since Bulgaria joined EU in 2007, total trade between Bulgaria and Hong Kong has raised from US$74 to US$138 in 2016, an impressive increase of 86%.
Bulgaria’s total imports from Hong Kong soared by 36% to US$87 million in 2016, after a 2% decline to US$64 million in Major imports items from Hong Kong in 2016 included telecommunications equipment & parts (shared 46% of the total), electrical apparatus for electrical circuits (17%), computers (8%), semi-conductors, electronic valves & tubes (4%) and electrical machinery & apparatus (3%).
On the other hand, Bulgaria’s exports to Hong Kong rose by 6% to US$52 million in 2016, after a 5% decrease to US$49 million in Major exports items to Hong Kong in 2016 included semi-conductors, electronic valves & tubes (shared 44% of the total), telecommunications equipment & parts (10%), perfumery, cosmetics or toilet preparations (excluding soaps) (9%), instruments & appliances, for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes (5%), medicaments (including veterinary medicaments) (5%), watches and clocks (5%), office machines (4%) and textile yarn (3%). 4

5. Bulgaria and Hong Kong: Growing Trading Ties
Bulgaria’s Top 3 Exports to Hong Kong
Semi-conductors, electronic valves & tubes
Telecommunications equipment & parts
Perfumery, cosmetics & toilet preparations
Hong Kong's total exports to Bulgaria soared by 36% to US$87 million in 2016, after a 2% decline to US$64 million in Major exports items to Bulgaria in 2016 included telecommunications equipment & parts (shared 46% of the total), electrical apparatus for electrical circuits (17%), computers (8%), semi-conductors, electronic valves & tubes (4%) and electrical machinery & apparatus (3%).
On the other hand, Hong Kong’s total imports from Bulgaria rose by 6% to US$52 million in 2016, after a 5% decrease to US$49 million in Major import items from Bulgaria in 2016 included (shared 44% of the total), telecommunications equipment & parts (10%), perfumery, cosmetics or toilet preparations (excluding soaps) (9%), instruments & appliances, for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes (5%), medicaments (including veterinary medicaments) (5%), watches and clocks (5%), office machines (4%) and textile yarn (3%).
35% of Bulgaria’s exports to Hong Kong is re-exported 5

6. HKTDC’s Strategy Focus
Belt and Road:
Promoting International Connectivity 5
HKTDC’s Strategy Focus
The official Belt and Road document published by the Central Ministries highlighted these 5 key areas of cooperation:
Facilities connectivity (Building facilities to enable connectivity along the Belt and Road)
Trade and investment (Facilitating cross-border Investments and supply chain cooperation)
Financial integration (Enhancing monetary policy coordination and bilateral financial cooperation)
Cultural exchange (Promoting people-to-people bonds and cooperation)
Policy co-ordination (Planning and supporting large-scale infrastructural development projects)
Among these 5 areas, HKTDC will focus on Facilities connectivity, Trade and investment and Financial integration. 6

7. A Super-Connector for Belt and Road
Hong Kong:
A Super-Connector for Belt and Road
Belt and Road:
Growing Trend of Mainland Outward Investment 7

8. Growing Trend of Mainland Outward Investment
Belt and Road:
Growing Trend of Mainland Outward Investment
China
About 60% of China’s outbound FDI is directed to or channelled through Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Today, HK has an even more important role – a springboard for Mainland companies’ outbound Investment
The Chinese Central Government’s “12th Five-year Programme” encourages mainland enterprises to step up the pace of “upgrading and transformation” and “going out”. The revised Directory on investment projects requiring government approval, published in November 2014, reduced by 40% the number of sectors where approval is required, and the approval requirement for outward investment has basically changed from the approval system to the record filing system, except for investment in sensitive sectors and regions. (Previously, Chinese parties investing more than US$1 billion overseas would need government approval.)
During the course of its current Five-Year Programme the mainland’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to grow by an average of 17% a year, hitting US$150 billion per annum by 2015.
China’s FDI has continued to expand in recent years, making it the world’s third-largest source of such funding in 2014 for the third year running, after the US and HK. In 2014, China’s FDI outflows reached US$116 billion, up 15% from US$101 billion in (Source: UNCTAD)
HK’s world‐class services providers play a crucial role in enabling cross‐border deals and partnerships for mainland enterprises, conducting due diligence, merger and acquisition analyses, feasibility studies, risk assessments and other essential services.
As such, HK is the perfect platform for overseas companies to attract mainland investments.
Indeed, as of the end of 2014, 57.8% (or about US$510 billion) of China's cumulative outward FDI stock [中國對外直接投資存量] (about US$883 billion) had gone to or through HK (according to mainland statistics).
And the Chinese mainland is HK's largest source of external investment.
Clearly, mainland companies are increasingly using HK as a platform to make global investments and acquisitions.
On the other hand, about 50% of foreign investment into the Chinese mainland is channelled through HK.
China’s total stock of FDI to Bulgaria increased 50 times from US$4.7m in 2006 to US$236m in 2015 8

9. Providing Information Matching Business Partners
HKTDC Stands Ready to Help
Providing Information
Matching Business Partners
Connecting Customers
HKTDC helps to create opportunities in international trade through three ways:
Providing information
Matching business partners
Connecting customers 9

10. HKTDC Initiatives to Promote Belt and Road
Belt and Road Portal
Belt and Road Summit 10

11. www.beltandroad.hk Belt and Road Portal Find Hong Kong Partners
A database of service providers with expertise and project experience
Free Advisory Service
Free consultation with Hong Kong professional institutions and service providers
Search Investment Projects
A database of Belt and Road-related investment projects
Case References
Relevant business cases covering different Belt and Road markets and sectors
The HKTDC launched a Belt and Road Portal ( on 7 Dec 2015 which serves as a business facilitation and market intelligence platform for global businesses to seize opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative.
Available in English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese, the portal has just been revamped this month with new user interface and functionalities including user log-in and searching of investment projects.
As at 10 Feb 2017, the Portal has attracted over 1,642,600 visits (cumulatively). 11

12. www.beltandroad.hk Belt and Road Portal
Key features of the portal include a HK services providers database, featuring a list of 161 Hong Kong service providers from the sectors of infrastructure development, financial services, professional services, transportation and IT. The database’s search function enables businesses to connect with relevant counterparts based in HK that have been assessed and identified with the expertise and project experience relevant to the BnR Initiative.
Businesses can also make use of the “Free Advisory Service” (by 23 advisors) to apply online for a free consultation with HK professional institutions and services providers covering the areas of accounting, finance and infrastructure development as well as legal aspects.
The revamped Portal highlights the search for investment projects, with more than 150+ projects being listed. Going forward, registered users will be able to file favourite projects and upload their own project details.
The Belt and Road Portal also features relevant business cases covering different Belt and Road markets and sectors, as well as profiles of countries along the Belt and Road. 12

13. Belt and Road Summit Inaugural edition in 2016
40+ prominent international speakers
2,400+ distinguished government officials and business leaders covering 48 countries and regions
60 delegations
40+ exhibitors
270 journalists attended and 1,300+ printed, electronic and online media reports generated
HK hosted the inaugural Belt and Road Summit on 18 May 2016 to explore business opportunities presented to the world by the Belt and Road Initiative. More than 40 senior government ministers from countries located along the Belt and Road routes as well as business leaders from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, ASEAN and other regions spoke at the summit, sharing insights from a wide range of perspectives. The high-level event welcomed more than 2,400 participants, including investors, project owners and services professionals.
It was organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), supported by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce, and the People’s Bank of China, in association with the HKTDC.
Zhang Dejiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a keynote speech. 13

14. 2017 Belt and Road Summit Date: 11 Sept 2017 (Monday) Organisers:
Programme: Keynote Speech, Luncheon with Keynote Address, Exhibition, Panel Sessions and Thematic Breakout Forums, Investment and Business-matching Sessions, etc. ,
The second edition of the Belt and Road Summit will be jointly organised by the Government of HKSAR and the HKTDC on 11 Sept 2017.
The Summit will again brings together senior government officials, representatives of international institutions, business leaders and industry experts from countries along and beyond the Belt and Road to exchange views on multilateral co-operation and explore new business opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative.
In particular, the Investment and business matching session will serve as an integrated matchmaking and networking platform connecting project owners & operators, investors and services providers from related business sectors.
Through participation in this session, participants can build new connections and explore collaboration with potential partners. 14

15. Other Anchor Events in Hong Kong With Enhanced Belt and Road Elements
Asian Financial Forum
Asian Licensing Conference
Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference
Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum
DesignInspire
Eco Expo Asia
International Film & TV Market
SmartBiz Expo
Business opportunities of Belt and Road span across a wide range of industries. To help Hong Kong service sectors capture such opportunities, we will incorporate Belt and Road elements into HKTDC’s relevant anchor events in HK: For example:
AFF
The 10th edition of Asian Financial Forum (16-17 Jan 2017) welcomed more than 2,800 financial and business leaders, policymakers, investors and high net-worth individuals from 50 countries and regions.
Investment opportunities created by the Belt and Road Initiative were discussed at a workshop on “Infrastructure Financing in Asia: Prospects and Challenges”, co-organised by Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and IFFO.
Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road was also discussed at a breakfast panel on “Positioning HK in the New World Order”.
ALC
The 6th Asian Licensing Conference (9-10 Jan 2017) featured 27 global licensing experts as speakers and drew more than 1,400 attendees.
The event featured a session on “Keys to Unlock the Belt and Road Licensing Opportunities”, where global brand experts revealed their brand licensing adaptations for winning over consumers from different cultures in markets covered by the Belt and Road Initiative.
ALMC
The 6th Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (22-23 Nov 2016) featured more than 70 industry leaders as speakers and welcomed around 2,000 industry elites from 34 countries and regions. The three main themes were the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s 13th Five-Year Plan and cross-border e-commerce.
BIP Asia
The sixth Business of IP Asia Forum (1-2 Dec 2016) featured more than 80 prominent speakers and was attended by over 2,500 IP professionals. A Roundtable Meeting was held on “IP Cooperation and Development under the Belt and Road Initiative”. 15

16. HKTDC: Connecting Buyers & Suppliers
Online
Trade Fairs
Print
Mobile
Integrated Marketing Solution
Trade fairs
Online marketplace
Product magazines
Mobile applications
As a trusted matchmaker for buyers and suppliers, we provide the HKTDC Integrated Marketing Solution. It comprises our trade fairs, trusted online marketplace, product magazines and mobile apps.
The HKTDC is a trusted matchmaker for buyers and suppliers.
The HKTDC Integrated Marketing Solution comprises our trade fairs, trusted online marketplace, product magazines and apps. 16

17. Electronics (Autumn) + electronicAsia
HKTDC Trade Fairs: Market Leaders
30+ world-class trade fairs
Around 37,000 exhibitors, 760,000+ buyers a year
Forming 11 largest marketplaces in Asia
30+ world-class trade fairs
Around 37,000 exhibitors, 760,000+ buyers a year
Forming 11 largest marketplaces in Asia, 5 largest in the world
World’s Largest
Marketplaces
Fashion
Fall/Winter
Electronics
(Spring)
Watch & Clock
Gifts & Premium
Houseware
Toys & Games
The HKTDC also offers services to promote trade, including trade fairs, different forms of business-matching services, and business missions.
The HKTDC, HK’s largest fair organiser, organises more than 30 exhibitions a year, forming 11 largest marketplaces of their kind in Asia, of which Electronics, Jewellery, Gifts, Watches & Clocks and Lighting are world-largest.
Asia’s largest marketplaces:
HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair (world-largest)
HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair (world-largest)
HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) + electronicAsia (world-largest)
HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show + HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show (world-largest)
HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition)+World of Outdoor Lighting & Lighting Accessories (world-largest)
HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)
HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter
HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair
HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show
Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART)
As well as sourcing opportunities, our fairs are marketing shows where brands are launched. Overseas traders are well aware of our fairs, and the business they can bring.
Electronics (Autumn) + electronicAsia
Jewellery +
Diamond,Gem & Pearl
Lighting (Autumn)+
Outdoor Lighting 17
Licensing
FILMART

18. HKTDC Trade Fairs: Market Leaders
Connecting Customers
Close to 300 Bulgarian buyers every year
Top 3 HKTDC trade fairs frequented by Bulgarian buyers
Autumn Lighting
Autumn Electronics
Toys & Games
- 1 Bulgarian exhibitors joining Electronics (Autumn) in 2016. 18

19. HKTDC: hktdc.com Online Marketplace
1.7M+ registered buyers
130,000+ quality suppliers
5M monthly user sessions
20M+ business connections generated annually
Online marketplace: hktdc.com
We connect buyers and suppliers online through hktdc.com, which is integrated with exhibitions and publications. This online marketplace features more than 1.7 million registered buyers and 130,000 suppliers from HK, the mainland and beyond.  Users can browse through some 9,000 clearly defined product categories to find products and services quickly and efficiently.
The online marketplace has some five million monthly user sessions.
The online marketplace matches business partners from all over the world. The hktdc.com platform generates more than 20 million business connections a year. (Connections occur when hktdc.com refers supplier contacts to buyers.)
It is a trusted B2B sourcing platform. Since 2007, it has been engaging third-party authentication authorities such as Dun & Bradstreet and SGS to respectively verify the suppliers’ company information and certification details that are posted on hktdc.com.
The Compliance Verification Service (also provided by SGS) further enhances the checking of suppliers' compliance in the areas of quality, environmental protection, social responsibility and security.
The portal has earned top honours at the international WebAwards for many years. 19

20. HKTDC: Product Magazines
20+ product magazines & industry supplements
5M+ readers from 200+ countries/regions
Mailed to buyers
Distributed FREE at trade fairs worldwide
Print Version
Online Version
ed to buyers
E-advertisements linked to advertisers' webpages on hktdc.com
Appgazine Version
World’s first B2B appgazine
Free download for mobile device users
Product Magazines
We publish more than 20 product magazines and industry supplements each year with a readership of 5 million buyers in more than 200 countries and regions. The magazines have been universally acknowledged as the best buyers' read for more than 40 years. Packed with quality suppliers and exhibitors, the product magazines are also the official magazines of our world-renowned trade fairs. They are available in print, electronic and mobile versions.
Online version:
Free browsing at
ed to relevant buyers registered on the HKTDC’s database
E-advertisements are linked to advertisers' webpages on
Appgazine version:
The world’s first B2B product magazine app
Instant enquiries
Links to suppliers’ websites
Multi-media functions
Keyword search
Bookmark, notes and voice-recording functions
Display of exhibitors’ booth locations
Apart from the HKTDC Product Magazines app, there is also the HKTDC Mobile app, which allows access to our online marketplace and provides information about our fairs, magazines, services as well as market news and videos produced by the HKTDC.
Customised business matching:
In addition to our Integrated Marketing Solution, we also connect business partners with Customised Business Matching and hktdc.com Buyer Meetings services, which help match buyers and suppliers. An enquiring overseas company is referred to pre-screened HK companies according to its needs. In 2014/15, some 6,000 cases were handled, with more than 20,000 referrals made. 20

21. HKTDC: Market News at Your Fingertips
“Hong Kong Means Business” – an HKTDC web page that provides Asian market intelligence
Market insights in multimedia format
Customised news for registered users
Daily news updates
Weekly e-newsletters
Mobile-friendly design
Our newly launched “Hong Kong Means Business” web page that provides Asian market intelligence. It offers daily updates of Asian market intelligence and a weekly e-newsletter:
Customised news for registered users
Market insights in a multimedia format
Mobile-friendly design for reading on the go
Available at ww.hktdc.com/HongKongMeansBusiness 21 21

22. HKTDC: Market Intelligence at Your Fingertips
Our HKTDC Research portal provides a wealth of information useful to businesses.
Offering in-depth insight and analysis on international markets and industries, we share more than 2,000 research articles each year.
Research reports and articles on trade and market updates from HKTDC Research are available on both the Internet and mobile platforms. 22

23. 47 offices worldwide, 13 in China
HKTDC: Global Network
47 offices worldwide, 13 in China
Frankfurt
Budapest
Hong Kong
As HK’s trade promotion arm, we are in the business of connecting people. We bring HK companies to the world, while we also bring the world to HK to do business on our platform.
We do this with help from our 46 offices worldwide (outside Hong Kong), including 28 along the Belt and Road (24 in Asia, 13 on Chinese mainland).
Here’s a look at our global network.
Global network
We have some 850 staff in HK and another 200 outside of HK.
We offer services in person – Face to face
Our teams are ready to help. 23

24. Contact Us Laszlo Meszaros / Beata Balazs HKTDC Budapest Consultant
Address:
Szena ter 1/A H-1015 Budapest Hungary
Tel: 36-(1) Fax: 36-(1) 24