Hong Kong

Founded by entrepreneur Charles Chan and his wife in 1995, Tunbow Group Ltd now ranks among the world’s top five original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for electric irons. Dubbed the “King of Irons”, the group achieved success with their breakthrough OEM business model and commitment to high-quality production. In recent years, Tunbow focussed on expanding its business network to emerging markets and has established production facilities in India to assemble and sell its products there. 

Originally trained in procurement, Dr Chan joined the OEM industry as an “outsider”, enabling him to view the traditional manufacturing industry from a different perspective. “Traditional manufacturers were not concerned about design or quality,” said Dr Chan, “so I decided to invest in 3D design software and printers to produce more delicate designs, and this helped shorten the development period from 18 months to eight months.”

Although this new approach increased production costs and hence the product’s selling price, European customers were willing to pay a higher price because of their appreciation of an iron’s quality and effectiveness. This saw Tunbow export 70 per cent of its products to Europe.

Dr Chan later developed an electric iron coated in plastic with an in-house developed temperature control system. Tunbow sold more than 700,000 units in a year, cementing its market share in Europe and allowing the company to extend its product line to other small domestic appliances. 

Tunbow has participated in the Spring and Autumn editions of the HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair for many years. The fairs have helped the company reach global buyers and expand its operations overseas. Dr Chan has taken part in HKTDC missions to Indonesia, Nigeria and Kenya to explore more business opportunities.

In 2010, Dr Chan took part in the HKTDC’s Lifestyle Expo in Mumbai, India, to promote Tunbow’s products to local buyers. In 2012 and 2014, he also joined HKTDC trade fairs in India to identify local business partners there. Today, Tunbow has an assembly plant in India and has successfully tapped into the local market. 
 

Hong Kong-based Eliron Cargo Tracking uses a bespoke, GSM-based system to update clients on shipments door-to-door across the Belt and Road Initiative routes. CEO Elias Heikar says the high-technology cargo tracking business is well fitted for operating from Hong Kong, with the SAR’s scalable services in areas such as office access, book-keeping and data collection, as well as a super connector to Belt and Road countries. 

Speaker:
Elias Heikari, CEO, Eliron Cargo Tracking 

Related Link:
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
http://www.hktdc.com/

Hong Kong’s Design Icon has been developing products for global and regional clients – and finds its’ own new, branded photographic solution is picking up interest from companies in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, among others, after launching it at the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition). Director Kevin O’Doherty sees the Belt and Road Initiative introducing new countries and consumers to its design services.  

Speaker:
Kevin O’Doherty, Design Consultant, Director, Design Icon

Related Link:
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
http://www.hktdc.com/

The Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Connect schemes accommodate the demand for multi-faceted investment opportunities on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, fitting Belt and Road priorities such as Rmb internationalization, says MF Jebsen’s Clifford Wong. He believes the Initiative encourages increased business activities: good for MF Jebsen’s travel industry operations, for example.

Speaker:
Clifford Wong, Deputy Group Managing Director, MF Jebsen International Ltd

Related Link:
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
http://www.hktdc.com/

Hong Kong has the entrepreneurial environment and talent as a “super practitioner” to complete public-private partnership projects required in Belt and Road countries, says Joseph Ferrigno of AMCG Partners. Having managed numerous such projects he says a regulatory framework, credibility of engineers and contractors and clear need for the project are among key factors for success.

Speaker:
Joseph Ferrigno, Managing Partner, AMCG Partners

Related Links:
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
https://www.hktdc.com/

Hong Kong tops the list of corporate treasury centres for Belt and Road countries, according to Carmen Ling of Standard Chartered Bank, following a roadshow she took to nine countries in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Europe associated with the Initiative. She said the reasons include Hong Kong’s lack of currency controls, low taxes and its dominant role as an offshore Rmb centre – all exemplifying Hong Kong’s wealth of knowledge and experience.

Speaker:
Carmen Ling, Global Head, Renminbi Solutions, Corporate and Institutional Clients, Standard Chartered Bank

Related Link:
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
https://www.hktdc.com/