Madrid and Hong Kong, a look at the poles of international business

With the opening of borders, the links between Hong Kong and Spain have been strengthened. Therefore, members of the Hong Kong Government have visited the Madrid region -invited by NI HAO CONECTA (NHC)- with the aim of exploring investment and business opportunities and to be the protagonists of the VIII NHC Meeting in the emblematic Casino Gran Vía (Madrid).

The event featured speeches by Chis Lo, Director Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for Europe, Dr. Ricardo Palomo, Dean of CEU San Pablo University. Professor of Finance and expert in Innovation and Digital Transformation; Victor Cortizo, International Relations Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV); and Fidel Rodríguez Batalla, Deputy Minister of Universities, Science and Innovation of the Community of Madrid to close the meeting.

As protagonists of the VIII ENCUENTRO NI HAO CONECTA (NHC), a space for thought and dialogue in which renowned experts (diplomats, professors, politicians and businessmen) debate and reflect on current affairs and the new world order, Chis Lo, Director Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for Europe and Kiah Tsai, Marketing Manager (HKTDC), visited Madrid. These meetings have been held between the cities of Madrid and Hong Kong, so this edition has had a special character.

Under the title "BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA THROUGH HONG KONG", speakers and attendees were able to reflect on key trends and sectors as drivers of the economy between the two cities. The director of HKTDC, Chris Lo, pointed out the importance of understanding Hong Kong as a strategic enclave and development of economic and investment opportunities in Asia. Thus, he pointed out the areas of: Industry, Innovation, Start ups and Agri-food as priorities to be developed in the short and long term between the two territories.

In this context, Laura González Escallada, President of NHC, highlighted the great opportunity that exists between the two "since our last trip to Hong Kong in February, we have been working to build a solid link between Spain and Hong Kong, with special emphasis on two sectors: Start Ups and Agri-Food". Specifically, on the scenarios in terms of entrepreneurship, Laura stressed that "we are betting on Madrid because, among other things, it is the 6th European region with more employment in Start Ups and doubles Spain in the number of startups with a turnover of more than 500,000 euros (17% compared to 9% of the total), but we are not closed to other Communities in Spain, she pointed out. 

The event was closed with a brief speech by Fidel Rodríguez Batalla, Deputy Minister of Universities, Science and Innovation of the Community of Madrid, highlighting the strengths that Madrid has to offer economically, with a liberal system and open to new markets, as well as the possible opportunities for intersection in Spain and in Europe, from the Asian region, highlighting the strategic location of Madrid.

In its barely 32 hours in Madrid, the Hong Kong Government also had the opportunity to meet important Spanish businessmen and executives and to receive a welcome from the Community of Madrid, specifically through Invest in Madrid (regional office for foreign investors) and the Vice-Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation through the Vice-Minister, Fidel Rodríguez - Batalla.

To close the trip, members of the Hong Kong Government enjoyed a dinner at the emblematic Argentinean restaurant PIANTAO in the heart of Madrid (C. de Sagasta, 30).  

About Ni Hao Conecta (NHC) 

NI HAO CONECTA (NHC), a business and communication platform between China, Spain and Latin America, acts as the main axis in the search and development of business and investment opportunities through the institutional, academic and governmental agenda.

As a consultancy specialising in Public Affairs, NHC has an advisory board made up of renowned academics, consultants and experts from the national and international business environment, guaranteeing internationalisation processes and brand reinforcement in any of the three axes in the triangulation: Spain - China - Latin America.

The Spanish entity has its own communication channel with accredited seals, both in Western and Eastern social networks, and recognition in WeChat.

In addition, in the framework of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Spain in 2023 and with the public intention shown by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain to strengthen trade and cultural ties between them, NHC is developing a major promotional campaign through a series of public and private activities throughout 2023.