The SME Expo: Global Horizons Conference, organised by The Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), was held on 20 October 2025 in Hong Kong. The event, now in approximately its third edition, brought together around 300 delegates from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Southeast Asia, including government officials, senior banking executives, and SME owners.
The conference focused on strengthening collaboration between financial institutions, policymakers, and businesses to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The programme included keynote sessions, panel discussions, demonstrations of digital banking tools, and business matching activities connecting SMEs with financial institutions.
Key topics for this edition included digital transformation, green financing, cross-border trade, and SME access to credit. Ms Jenny Chan led a session on digital transformation for SMEs, where she demonstrated digital banking platforms and onboarding systems designed to streamline access to financial services. Her session highlighted how digital tools are being used to improve operational efficiency and reduce barriers for SMEs in accessing banking services.
Sustainability and financing were addressed by Mr Eric Wong, who introduced green financing frameworks, including sustainability-linked loans and preferential financing for SMEs adopting environmentally responsible practices. Case examples presented during the session included financing solutions for energy-efficient equipment, low-carbon logistics, and sustainable supply chain development.
Cross-border trade opportunities were discussed by Mr Raymond Cheung, who examined market entry strategies and regulatory considerations for SMEs expanding into regional markets. His session focused on practical challenges faced by SMEs in internationalisation, including compliance requirements and access to market information.
SME financing and credit access were further explored by Ms Grace Liu, who presented approaches to expanding credit availability for smaller businesses, including startups and enterprises with limited credit history. Her session outlined the use of alternative data and tailored risk assessment models to improve financing accessibility.
Governance and regulatory considerations were also discussed across the programme. Representatives from the banking sector and regulatory bodies examined responsible lending practices, transparency in credit allocation, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. Discussions also addressed the role of standardised loan assessment criteria and disclosure practices in improving trust between financial institutions and SME borrowers.
The SME Expo: Global Horizons Conference reflects ongoing efforts within Hong Kong’s financial sector to support SME development in an evolving economic environment. As businesses navigate digital transformation, sustainability requirements, and cross-border expansion, the conference provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange perspectives and examine approaches to improving access to finance and market opportunities.
