The ASEAN retail e-commerce sector is growing rapidly, this is particularly the case for the bloc’s six largest economies – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam (the ASEAN-6). In order to assist Hong Kong SMEs as they look to refine their ASEAN-oriented e-commerce strategies, HKTDC Research conducted a quantitative survey of over 1,800 online shoppers in the ASEAN-6 countries, seeking to identify their spending patterns, preferences, and perceptions of Hong Kong brands.

The House of Representatives on 10 March approved legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from using appropriated funds to procure batteries made by certain mainland Chinese entities, effective from 1 October 2027.

According to the State Administration for Market Regulation, a global standard for senior care robots was released recently by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

The European Commission has published a ‘Call for Evidence’ from any interested parties on the EU’s rules on the environmental impact of professional refrigeration products. The notification states that, although annual primary energy savings are expected to reach an estimated 15.6 TWh by 2030, this current initiative will review the ecodesign and energy labelling requirements to assess whether further energy and resource savings can be attained. Hong Kong traders wishing to provide feedback may do so by the deadline of 31 March 2025.

The implementation of the recently amended energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, gas-fired instantaneous water heaters and commercial refrigeration equipment, as well as the recently amended energy test procedure for compressors, has been delayed as part of the Trump administration’s review of regulatory actions that have not yet entered into force.

Six government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, unveiled on 27 January a policy regarding home renovations, and kitchen and bathroom makeovers, and pledged to support local governments in delivering it. The policy will focus on green development, smart applications and elderly-friendly transformation. Individuals will be given support in undertaking renovations to old buildings, and partial improvements to kitchens and bathrooms. Subsidies will mainly be given towards five major categories of products: furnishing materials; sanitaryware; furniture and lighting; home automation; and elderly-friendly transformation materials. Subsidies may amount to 30% of the actual sales value. The principle of territoriality will be implemented and online and offline business entities will be given the same treatment in the granting of subsidies. Business entities operating under different ownership systems, in different places of registration, and on different scales, will all have an opportunity to participate in the programme.

Cross-border e-commerce has become a pivotal business channel in the rapidly evolving trading world. Technological advances and enhanced logistic delivery services have streamlined and accelerated the international buying and selling processes. This dynamic has effectively revolutionised traditional trading methods, making them far more comprehensive and versatile.

The provincial government of Guangdong unveiled its 2025 action plan for building a modern industrial system on 6 February. The plan puts forward eight tasks: building a strong foundation for scientific and technological innovation; fostering outstanding industrial clusters; empowering intelligent technologies; promoting regional coordination and collaboration; encouraging industrial opening up and cooperation; introducing and nurturing authorised economic operators; upgrading quality and brands; and ensuring that the security of resources and production factors is guaranteed. Through these eight tasks, the plan seeks to strengthen core technologies, promote the effective commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements, consolidate and upgrade conventional industries while making deployments to drive industries of the future, expand the application of software and information services, promote the in-depth application of artificial intelligence, open up overseas markets while tapping into the domestic market, foster and attract the arrival of authorised economic operators, and strengthen the fiscal and financial system and the security of basic production factors.

This article provides an overview on Malaysia’s FDI trend, workforce, logistics capability and government economic policies, highlighting the country’s readiness in attracting high-value added manufacturing activities as the country is also trying to move up along the production value chain, so as to keep itself competitive, this is followed by a discussion on how Hong Kong businesses can explore opportunities in the country.

President Trump said on 18 February that he would “likely” impose tariffs of around 25 percent as soon as 2 April on imported motor vehicles, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. He also warned that the tariffs would “go very substantially higher over a course of a year”, insisting on the now recurring theme that companies are welcome to set up shop in the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.