The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully with over 6,200 political and business leaders from more than 70 countries and regions. The two-day event showcased over 300 investment projects, arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, and facilitated over 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The Summit focused on business globalisation, new market opportunities, and cross-regional cooperation, deepening Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with emerging markets such as ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
In response to the accelerating pace of Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding overseas, the Summit introduced the GoGlobal Chapter for the first time. This initiative included thematic sessions, the GoGlobal Connect Zone, roundtable discussions, and the GoGlobal Business Study Mission, providing a one-stop platform for enterprises to explore overseas markets. During the Summit, Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Deloitte Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited signed a MoU to collaborate on going global. Chen Li, President of Shaanxi TIRAIN, noted that the agreement with Deloitte will help ensure compliance and enhance competitiveness in global markets.
Building on the outcomes of Chief Executive John Lee's visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, the Summit introduced a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and Central Asia Zone to deepen Hong Kong's business ties with Central Asian markets. Key development projects such as Kazakhstan's Alatau City and Data Center Valley attracted significant interest. Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, highlighted the country's aerospace foundation and plans for a satellite system and digital platform for agriculture, land use, emergency response, and resource management.
The Summit further strengthened its Middle East elements through the Middle East Chapter, Middle East Zone, and multiple thematic sessions. The Business Plenary, themed "Unlocking New Market Opportunities along and beyond the Belt and Road," focused on the Middle East and African markets, with speakers from Qatar, Oman, South Africa, and Nigeria sharing insights. Additionally, the Project Investment Session on the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America invited representatives from Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, and South Africa to discuss key industries and investment opportunities.
At the Signature Projects Session, Enver Iskurt, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkiye, introduced the Ankara-Istanbul super speed railway project, inviting Hong Kong-based investors and engineering firms to participate. The Summit also facilitated project matchmaking through the Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones, which featured over 120 exhibitors, including new zones for University, GreenTech, and GoGlobal Connect.
As a new highlight of Belt and Road Week, the ASEAN Market Day attracted 340 SMEs, offering consultation sessions with HKTDC's ASEAN offices and consulates. The HKTDC plans to launch more thematic promotion activities, such as GoGBA Development Day, African Market Day, and Middle East Market Day, to help Hong Kong enterprises seize global opportunities. Although the Summit has concluded, the Belt and Road Deal-Making will continue online on 14-15 September, and the Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable 2026 will bring together representatives to discuss market trends and deepen regional cooperation.
