Thai SMEs to Explore Hong Kong Market Under Trade Initiative
Eighty Thai entrepreneurs will travel to Hong Kong under a government trade initiative to explore market opportunities, meet potential buyers, and learn about regional food and beverage trends at the HKTDC Hong Kong Food Pro 2026 exhibition
The Department of International Trade has joined forces with the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Board to create opportunities for Thai SMEs to reach the global market by leading 80 entrepreneurs on a trade mission to Hong Kong. Arada Fuengtong, director-general of the Department of International Trade, announced that Deputy Director-General Chanin Rimcharoen has been appointed to head the delegation of Thai SMEs along with relevant government and private sector executives for activities to strengthen relationships and build trade networks under the DFT+ program.
The program is designed around four key activities: First, entrepreneurs will visit the HKTDC Hong Kong Food Pro 2026 exhibition to observe international food and beverage trends across Asia and tour Thailand's pavilion organized by the National Innovation Agency to explore product trends, innovations, and consumer behavior in the Hong Kong market.
Second, business matching sessions will connect Thai SMEs with over 60 Hong Kong and Chinese trade partners including buyers, importers, distributors, and retailers to create commercial opportunities and long-term relationships. Trading transactions during the event exceeded 101 million baht, with expectations for annual transactions reaching over 350 million baht.
Third, entrepreneurs will attend specialized briefings from the Thai Trade Office in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council representatives on market overview, consumer behavior, trade trends, and market entry channels. Fourth, businesses will visit major retail chains such as HotMaxx, Yuan Ji Lin, HUI KANG Supermarket, and PARKnSHOP, and study green and smart living initiatives at the Hong Kong Productivity Council.
"The collaboration between the Department of International Trade and the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Board under DFT+ aims to give entrepreneurs real market exposure—from observing the market to meeting partners to learning actual trade practices," Arada said. She added that the program seeks to enable SMEs to gain experience, knowledge, and networks to develop their products and businesses, increase competitiveness, and expand into foreign markets.
