The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is extending the third Hong Kong Shopping Festival to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the first time, with Singapore and Malaysia as initial focus markets. The festival, which previously concentrated on the Chinese mainland, will run in two phases: the mainland edition from August 1-20 featuring over 280 brands, and the ASEAN version from September 21-27 showcasing approximately 100 brands. The event aims to help Hong Kong's small and medium-sized enterprises expand their cross-border e-commerce operations. The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Paul Chan, endorsed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of e-commerce in modern trade and the government's commitment to supporting local businesses through funding, market insights, and talent development. Jacky Chung, an associate executive director at HKTDC, highlighted Hong Kong businesses' strengths in quality and trust, positioning them well for success in both mainland and ASEAN markets.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about economic initiatives and business expansion efforts without taking a partisan stance. It focuses on factual developments related to trade and commerce, with no indication of ideological leaning toward either left or right. The tone remains neutral, emphasizing





