A senior official of Invest Hong Kong began his visit to South America on Monday to promote the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as an ideal platform for Latin American companies planning to expand in Asia and to deepen trade and business ties with the region.
Arnold Lau Chi-yuen, associate director-general of investment promotion at InvestHK-- the government agency tasked with promoting inward direct investment--will visit Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima, Peru to promote the SAR's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Chinese mainland and Asian markets.
"The South America market has strong growth potential, and its local enterprises are actively seeking opportunities to enter the Asian market," Lau said.
As the freest economy in the world, Hong Kong offers an open and mature market, a highly international talent pool, and a robust legal system, making the city an ideal springboard for South American enterprises to expand in Asia, especially the mainland and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he said.
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“Through this visit, we aim to foster pragmatic exchanges and collaboration, strengthen bilateral ties with Argentina and Peru, and make use of our business advantages to promote the development of the Global South," he added.
During his visit to Argentina, Lau will meet with the Argentine Investment and International Trade Agency to gain insights into the local business environment and explore opportunities.
He will promote Hong Kong's strengths in finance, regulations, innovation and technology, and as a preferred location for setting up international or regional headquarters.
In Peru, Lau will hold talks with PromPerú (the Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism), attend the Expoalimentaria 2025 international food trade fair organized by the Association of Exporters from Peru and participate in a conference.
He will meet with local food exporters to introduce the SAR's unique business advantages and the wealth of opportunities available.
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Lau will also meet with representatives of a number of South American enterprises interested in establishing a presence in Hong Kong to explore opportunities and promote cross-regional cooperation. These enterprises include those involved in food trading, agricultural exports, technology, e-commerce, brand development, and retail.
Hong Kong has close economic ties with both Argentina and Peru. In 2024, the total value of bilateral merchandise trade between the SAR and Argentina and Peru reached HK$3 billion ($386 million) and HK$6 billion, respectively.
Peru is a participating country in the Belt and Road Initiative and, since 2020, bilateral trade between the HKSAR and Peru has grown by nearly 10 percent annually on average. In 2024, the two sides signed a Free Trade Agreement, further enhancing bilateral investment flows.
