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FAQ: GBA Enterprises Accelerating ASEAN Expansion Amid Trade Tensions
TL;DR
GBA enterprises gain competitive advantage by accelerating ASEAN expansion to diversify supply chains and capture growth in markets like Vietnam and Indonesia amid global trade tensions.
A UOB Hong Kong and HKTDC study shows 73% of GBA companies plan faster ASEAN growth, allocating 30% more resources with focus on sales, production, and ESG funding increases.
This expansion strengthens global supply chain resilience while 96% of companies plan increased ESG funding, promoting sustainable development and better economic stability for communities.
Vietnam is the top priority with 47% more resources, and Hong Kong's green services scored 8.8/10 as companies double ESG investments to HK$874,771 on average.
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The study examines how enterprises across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are accelerating their expansion into ASEAN markets amid escalating global uncertainties and intensifying tariff pressures, with 73% planning to fast-track their business development in the region.
GBA companies are scaling their ASEAN strategies with greater urgency to boost growth, strengthen supply chain resilience, and navigate intensifying geopolitical and tariff pressures in global trade.
Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are emerging as the top destinations for GBA enterprises over the next three years, with Vietnam being the top priority for resource allocation.
Companies expect to allocate an average of 30% additional resources to their ASEAN expansion plans, with Vietnam receiving the highest increase at 47%, followed by Indonesia at 37%, and Thailand/Malaysia at 32% each.
The primary focus is on driving sales growth (especially in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia) and expanding production and sourcing bases, with Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia being the top choices for production expansion.
The most cited challenge is finding suitable local partners (47%), followed by cultural and language barriers (46%), and difficulties in sourcing specialist talent (40%), with all three challenges showing significant increases since 2024.
83% of participating enterprises currently have green initiatives underway, and 96% plan to increase or maintain their ESG funding over the next two years, with 66% intending to boost their ESG investment - a 26 percentage point jump from 2024.
The study "Hong Kong Empowers GBA Enterprises for ASEAN Growth Amid Global Trade Challenges" was conducted by UOB Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and was released on January 14, 2026.
98% of surveyed enterprises continue to target ASEAN sales markets, with a 25 percentage point year-on-year increase in businesses seeking to expand or maintain sales operations within the ASEAN bloc.
91% of respondents intend to expand or maintain their ASEAN-based production and sourcing hubs - a seven percentage point increase compared to 2024, highlighting stronger intent to diversify supply chains and mitigate external risks.
Curated from NewMediaWire
