New TDC chairman speaks about the role of the body amid trade war
發佈日期: 2025-06-16 11:52
TVB News
Frederick Ma, the new Chairman of the Trade Development Council (TDC), stressed that the body does not get involved in politics but only focuses on promoting Hong Kong.
His comments came amid a U.S.-China trade war and global geopolitical tensions.
The Trade Development Council has adjusted the city's trade growth for the year downward to 3 percent amid the tariff war.
Speaking on a TVB programme, TDC's new chairman Frederick Ma said U.S. President Donald Trump tends to change his policies, making it tricky to forecast the export growth. But Ma said he remains positive about Hong Kong's trade.
Frederick Ma, Chairman, TDC said, "I always look at crisis as opportunity. Hong Kong is a tariff-free port. We could capitalise on that. You know, anything that goes through Hong Kong and export into China would be tax-free."
TDC currently has 51 overseas offices, with 15 of them being in Europe, U.S. and Canada. Last year, the U.S. passed a bill that could close Hong Kong's economic and trade offices in the country.
When asked if he had concerns over the operation of TDC's overseas offices in the West, Ma stressed that the body does not get involved in politics.
"We are only interested in business, so as a result, we would sell Hong Kong's story to all these countries. So, I sincerely hope that the sanctions, which you mentioned, will not apply to TDC."
Meanwhile, Ma said TDC would look into new emerging markets as locations for overseas offices. The promotion of a convention economy has been a focused aspect of the SAR government.
Looking ahead, Ma said TDC might host thematic exhibitions that meet market trends, such as robots and spirits. However, Hong Kong lacks convention and exhibition venues.
Ma said TDC would consider establishing convention facilities in the Northern Metropolis, but he said construction time may take a decade.
