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73% of Greater Bay Area Firms Eye ASEAN Expansion

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A survey by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and UOB Hong Kong finds 73% of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area enterprises plan to expand into ASEAN.
The move aims to mitigate trade tensions and strengthen supply chains, with 83% pursuing green initiatives.
Target markets are Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with 30% more resources planned and ESG funding expected to rise.

History

Historical Context

Established on January 28, 1992, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) aimed to enhance economic cooperation among Southeast Asian nations, initially comprising six members. By 2020, AFTA facilitated a 30% increase in intra-regional trade. Today, 73% of enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area seek to expand into ASEAN markets, reflecting a strategic shift towards strengthening supply chains amid global trade tensions.

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Story summary

A survey by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and UOB Hong Kong finds 73% of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area enterprises plan to expand into ASEAN.
The move aims to mitigate trade tensions and strengthen supply chains, with 83% pursuing green initiatives.
Target markets are Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with 30% more resources planned and ESG funding expected to rise.

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