Hong Kong Trade Development Council: Plans to adjust US office and explore high value-added markets in South America.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council Chairman Ma Shi-hang stated in a media interview that the council currently has 51 offices worldwide and is considering closing one of its offices in the United States to reallocate resources to South America in order to explore more high value markets. Ma Shi-hang mentioned that the council currently has 3 offices in the United States and may transfer the resources of one office to South America, but emphasized that no decision has been made yet. In Central Asia, the council currently has a consultancy office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and is open to upgrading it to a full office. Hong Kong is developing its first "Five-Year Plan," and Ma Shi-hang stated that the council will work to strengthen Hong Kong's role in trade, shipping, and finance. Another focus is assisting Mainland Chinese companies in expanding overseas. Ma Shi-hang also mentioned that the council provides global export services for Mainland Chinese companies, and believes that there are many attractive opportunities for exports in overseas markets. He stated, "We need to think about which markets we can tap into, as that is the way forward for Hong Kong." He also mentioned that the council will continue to organize delegations to explore new markets.