To align with Hong Kong’s position as a high-value-added supply chain service center in the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) of Hong Kong will launch a new service this year to support mainland enterprises’ overseas expansion, CMA President Wingco Lo Kam-wing told media on Monday.

CMA, known for its diversified services to members, has accelerated broadening its target clients, service scenarios and networks in recent years, as demand from Chinese mainland enterprises to expand overseas has surged.

“The ‘Enterprise Global Expansion Planner’ initiative can be seen as a consolidated and upgraded version of CMA’s services, which is expected to systematically and comprehensively respond to the nation’s strategic needs,” said Lo.

Each enterprise will be paired with a designated planner, who will study its products, target markets and challenges, and tailor-make its overseas expansion plans, Lo explained.

A full-chain and one-stop plan will cover services from company registration and brand development to product testing and sales.

In addition, CMA will also help enterprises match with supply chain partners to jointly go global, reducing time and trial-and-error costs.

With ongoing tensions in the Middle East, a recent CMA survey among its members showed that many manufacturing companies, which are dependent on fossil fuels, petrochemical raw materials, or long-distance logistics, are facing challenges such as delayed deliveries and soaring costs for raw materials and freight.

Some member companies reported that their short to medium-distance freight costs have increased by 10 percent to 30 percent, while long-distance freight costs between the city and the Middle East and Europe have risen by 50 percent to 100 percent.  

Lo said CMA will closely monitor developments and support enterprises in enhancing risk management and operational resilience to alleviate impacts on its members as much as possible.