Hong Kong Association of Banks and member banks co-organised SME Expo, attracting around 300 representatives from businesses and banks
Empowering SMEs to expand overseas through strategic expansion initiatives
20 October 2025, Hong Kong – The Hong Kong Association of Banks (“HKAB”) today successfully concluded the “SME Forum on Transformation” series with the "SME Expo: Global Horizons Conference" jointly co-organised with Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“Standard Chartered Hong Kong”), CITIC Bank, China Construction Bank (Asia), and Citibank. The event centred on cross-border business expansion, aiming to empower local SMEs with insights about overseas market trends and growth strategies for overseas expansion. Around 300 leaders from the government, business and banking sectors attended the event.
Mary Huen, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Association of Banks, and CEO, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, Standard Chartered, said, "As an international financial centre, Hong Kong boasts unique strengths and provides an excellent platform for SMEs to explore overseas opportunities. According to the SME survey conducted by the HKAB this year, nearly half of the surveyed enterprises are undergoing upgrading and transformation. The banking industry has been working closely with the government in fostering a conducive environment for SMEs to grow and develop. So far this year, the HKAB has organised over 100 summits, workshops and exchanges to help SMEs build global partnerships and develop overseas business, enabling them to seize growth opportunities through digital transformation, green transformation and cross-border business opportunities, aiming for a sustainable and long-term success.”
The HKAB conducted the “SME Upgrading and Transformation Survey” earlier this year, revealing that nearly half of the surveyed enterprises are undergoing upgrading and transformation. The most commonly cited markets for SME expansion are Mainland China and ASEAN. Beyond financing, these enterprises hope their banking partners can support them in launching cross-border banking and settlement services, offer consultancy or advisory support on upgrading and transformation, help connect and expand SME networks, as well as provide digital banking tools and services to improve operational efficiency. These priorities align closely with the areas the HKAB and its member banks have been actively collaborating on and exploring this year.
The Expo held today was the last of the “SME Forum on Transformation” series organised by the HKAB’s Commercial Banking Committee. Previous events included “Digital Edge” forum co-organised with Bank of China (Hong Kong) and the “Green and Sustainable Future” forum co-organised with HSBC. Today’s event featured three dynamic panel discussions to explore comprehensive strategies for SMEs aiming to grow overseas business. Panel topics included market research and positioning, cross-border logistics, regulatory compliance, and digital marketing strategies. Speakers also shared in-depth insights about how to build robust partnership networks in overseas markets and leverage data-driven marketing strategies to boost sales growth, all to provide SMEs with the tools they need to build overseas business successfully.
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Photo caption
Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) and member banks co-organised "SME Expo: Global Horizons Conference", attracted around 300 leaders from the government, business and banking sectors joining the event. (From left) Bernard Chan Pak-li, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Mary Huen, Chairperson of HKAB and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, Standard Chartered; Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, officiated the opening ceremony of the Conference.