Hong Kong garment and apparel exporters are set to capture new business opportunities following a mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt in January, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
 

Fourteen leading figures from the city’s garment and textile companies, export-related business associations, along with educational institutions, took part in the mission to gain first-hand market insights, meet potential partners and identify concrete opportunities for collaboration in distribution and manufacturing.

The mission also underscored Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages as a global finance and business hub, based on the city’s open business environment, free flow of capital, goods, information and people, robust legal ecosystem, and simple and efficient tax regime. These strengths make it the ideal platform for global businesses exploring growth opportunities in the Chinese Mainland, ASEAN and beyond.
 

Exploring retail opportunities in Dubai
 

The six-day mission began with a programme of meetings and site visits in Dubai, a fast-growing, high-income business hub and a major tourism and logistics node. The city serves as a key retail gateway for the region, shaping consumer trends across neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, where the high-end fashion industry continues to record 15% annual growth. The delegation met with several major retail groups to understand the retail and distribution landscape, and visited warehouse facilities as well as the iconic Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping destinations.
 

The strength of the UAE’s retail and logistics sectors aligns well with the delegation’s deep expertise in design and supply chain management, noted Consul-General of the United Arab Emirates in Hong Kong Shaikh Saoud Almualla. He added that the mission had successfully highlighted opportunities for collaboration in fashion and garment sector.
 

"The UAE continues to be a dynamic and welcoming destination for global investors, offering world-class infrastructure, progressive economic policies, and unmatched regional connectivity. We look forward to deeper cooperation between our economies and further engagement with Hong Kong’s forward-looking business community," he said.

A key connection was established with Dubai Design District, a public-private platform that provides incubation support, office space and community resources for the region’s emerging fashion designers and garment innovators. Home to international fashion houses and organiser of the Dubai Fashion Week, the District offers a springboard for Hong Kong fashion designers seeking regional exposure and creative collaboration opportunities.
 

Hong Kong enterprises learned about Dubai’s vibrant design ecosystem at Dubai Design District.

Delegates said the meetings brought them enhanced understanding and practical insights, laying the foundation for future projects. Bosco Law, Chairman of the Textile Council of Hong Kong and Deputy Chairman and CEO of apparel manufacturer LAWSGROUP concurred: “The mission helped strengthen the connections between Hong Kong’s textile, garment and fashion sector and the Middle East region, providing us with a much clearer picture of possible new collaborations and future growth directions.”
 

Unlocking Egypt’s manufacturing advantages

From Dubai, the delegation travelled to Egypt, which has emerged in recent years as a strategic manufacturing hub. With its extensive network of free trade agreements connecting it to Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas – including a duty-free arrangement with the United States – coupled with a young workforce and generous tax incentives, Egypt has made great strides in attracting foreign investment and positioning itself as a credible alternative production base for global brands.

The delegation visited the Suez Canal Economic Zone, located about 120 kilometres from Cairo, where they learned about the zone’s facilities and incentives, and discussed potential opportunities for export-oriented manufacturing and supply chain operations. A visit to the adjacent Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area – a key Belt and Road Initiative project supporting Egypt’s industrialisation in new materials, energy and machinery – provided practical case studies of international enterprises tapping into the region’s demand through Egypt’s industrial and investment platform.

A highlight was a roundtable discussion hosted by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, where the delegation met with industry associations and companies across the textile, weaving and export sectors. Beyond learning about the zones’ generous incentives for foreign investors, participants also exchanged ideas on potential manufacturing projects and joint venture opportunities.

One of the delegates, Wai Ping Anabella Leung, Executive Deputy Chairman at Cobalt Fashion, a leading knitwear specialist, remarked: “Egypt presents clear business potential as an alternative production base as the country can utilise Qualified Industrial Zones to export products duty-free to the United States, provided specific criteria are met. We foresee production and collaboration opportunities and are planning to return to Egypt with our production partners to explore further,” she said.

Meetings with shipping agents, banks and business chambers rounded off the programme, ending a productive week of connection-building and exploration.

Summing up the visit, mission leader Katherine Fang – Chair of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee and Fang Brothers Holdings Limited Chief Executive Officer – encouraged Hong Kong enterprises to take a fresh look at Egypt.

“With strong investment incentives and strategic proximity to Middle East, North Africa and European markets, Egypt is emerging as a competitive production base that supports efficiency and long-term growth. This mission organised by the HKTDC has opened new avenues for collaboration between Hong Kong and these two markets. I encourage Hong Kong industries, such as garment, textiles and electronics, to explore Egypt as a strategic base for expansion.”

HKTDC missions: broadening trade networks
 

HKTDC Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation and External Relations Iris Wong summarised the mission’s outcomes, noting it had strengthened the city’s role as a global superconnector for the garment and textiles industry.
 

“There is strong demand in the Middle East for quality and sustainable apparel, while Egypt is rapidly emerging as a competitive production base. Together, these developments enable Hong Kong SMEs to diversify their supply chains, enhance competitiveness, drive sustainable growth, and solidify Hong Kong’s position as a vital global trade hub.”
 

In response to a shifting global trade environment, the HKTDC has stepped up promotions in the next growth corridors of ASEAN, the Middle East and North Africa to help Hong Kong businesses navigate new challenges and identify fresh growth opportunities.

The move was welcomed by the Consul-General of Egypt in Hong Kong and Macao SARs Ambassador Baher Sheweikhi who said the mission showcased Egypt’s readiness to attract investment and laid the foundation for enhanced collaboration. 

"Egypt offers substantial opportunities for international investors, combining competitive advantages with access to vital global markets. This mission organised by HKTDC stands out as a particularly significant and dedicated business undertaking for Egypt, fostering connections between Hong Kong's garment and textiles industry leaders and Egypt's strategic partners. We intend to leverage this momentum to deploy similar missions across other sectors of mutual interest, thereby reinforcing the bilateral economic ties between Egypt and Hong Kong."