When it comes to sourcing cutting-edge technologies, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) product curation and business matching services have proven to be a vital time-saving tool for engineering consulting firm Lin Tung-Yen & Li Guo-Hao Consultants Hong Kong.

The company is the offshoot of Lin Tung-Yen & Li Guo-Hao Consultants Shanghai. Established in 1993 as a Sino-American joint venture, the firm undertakes design and consultancy work for major infrastructure and engineering projects. The Hong Kong branch was set up in 2009 and now serves as the primary point of contact for overseas clients.

According to Managing Director Yu Lap-chu, staying abreast of the latest trends in technology and innovation is central to the firm’s services. However, he noted that identifying suitable partners is often extremely challenging.

“Finding the right partner in such a vast market is like looking for a needle in a haystack; even if we do find one, there is no guarantee that the technology can be put into practical use. We spend a great deal of time on this,” he said.

Right partners, real impact

This is where the HKTDC’s mandate to select and showcase high-quality products and solutions has made a tangible difference.

At HKTDC’s InnoEX technology trade fair in April, Mr Yu encountered numerous suppliers of new construction materials, as well as innovative solutions in areas such as drones, smart bus shelters and electronic displays. He met with over 30 exhibitors to explore potential sourcing opportunities.

Mr Yu was highly impressed by drone demonstrations from Tianjin-based exhibitor Yunsheng Intelligent Tech. Observing that Yunsheng’s drones are well-suited for safety inspections on large-scale engineering projects, Mr Yu is now considering adopting the technology for one of his current projects – a land reclamation development in Malaysia.

Mr Yu said the exhibition helped his team familiarise themselves with a wide range of solutions in a single setting, enabling them to identify suitable technology suppliers within a short space of time. “The HKTDC fully understands the challenges we face and matched us with potential partners, giving us the confidence to take on more new projects,” he explained.

Earlier in the year, another potential technology partner was identified when Mr Yu took part in delegation visits to Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Huizhou as part of the HKTDC’s GoGBA initiative. Under the GoGBA banner, the HKTDC organises industry visits and provides market intelligence and networking opportunities for companies keen to expand in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). In Huizhou, Mr Yu attended a demonstration by smart agriculture provider Fengnong and now is considering recommending the company to clients in East Timor, Fiji and other Belt and Road markets undertaking major agricultural improvement projects.

Once again, HKTDC’s local expertise and extensive network proved invaluable. “The tours provided opportunities for in-depth discussions with officials and industry representatives, enabling us to keep up to date on the latest policies and industry trends. Through HKTDC’s events, we were able to engage with companies that would otherwise be difficult to approach,” said Mr Yu.

Hong Kong’s unique advantages at work

Apart from making it easier to access technology suppliers, setting up a base in Hong Kong has proved to be a significant advantage for the company. The city’s internationally aligned legal and engineering standards enable seamless engagement with foreign clients.

“While our Shanghai headquarters has extensive experience in architectural design and procuring materials, we often have difficulty when dealing with overseas clients due to differences in contracts and regulations. This is where our Hong Kong branch comes into its own. Whether in terms of contracts, regulations or building codes, Hong Kong is highly aligned with international standards, and this has played a key role in helping the company earn the recognition of overseas clients,” Mr Yu said.

Professor Huang Yulong, Engineer and Senior Consultant at Lin & Li, echoed these comments pointing to a recent tender for a land reclamation project in Penang, Malaysia. For this project, the firm provided consultancy services on tender documentation, contractual arrangements and construction standards.

“Following refinements, we aligned the tender with the project’s specific requirements, and it was successfully submitted,” he said.

Another advantage lies in the city’s strong financial sector and deep capital pool, including its development of green financing models, which have attracted many Chinese Mainland firms to raise funds in Hong Kong. Mr Yu related that Lin & Li had provided consultancy and advisory services to a mainland company specialising in ‘waste-to-resources’ technology for phosphate mine tailings and helped it to raise funds and expand overseas via the Hong Kong platform.

Looking ahead, the consultancy will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique strengths, explore new technologies and markets, and strive to become a key bridge connecting the Chinese Mainland with the global civil engineering sector.