Tampere Showcases SME Expansion Pathways to Southern China

Taking center stage, Leap4Growth accelerates links between Tampere and the Greater Bay Area.

Text: Yi Tang / Business Tampere
Photos: Kimmo Penttinen / NoNegative

Business Tampere and Tampere-based companies took a visible role at Journey to Hong Kong – Grow and Succeed and the Lunar New Year Reception 2026 in Helsinki. The high-level event, co-organized by the Finland–Hong Kong Business Association, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, gathered around 150 representatives from government, business and innovation ecosystems. The event was held on February 11.

Leap4Growth, an EU-funded Central Baltic Program project coordinated by Business Tampere, was prominently featured at the event. Project Lead Yi Tang and a group of Tampere-based companies presented concrete pathways for SMEs to enter the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Vietnam. The project combines market expert coaching, lead generation, export missions and practical training to help companies move from initial exploration to real business opportunities. Companies from the Tampere region participating in the project include Lojer, EPSE, ABM Composite, Inion, Flowmedik and Pegasor. We look forward to seeing these companies build their success in the market.

Hong Kong’s position as an international gateway to Mainland China and the wider Asia-Pacific region framed the discussion. For Nordic SMEs, success in these markets requires preparation, local insight and long-term commitment. In this context, structured public support plays a decisive role.

Tampere’s cooperation with Asia is built on long-standing partnerships. In the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, Tampere is a sister city of Guangzhou and maintains a memorandum of understanding with Shenzhen. In spring 2025, Tampere also signed a similar agreement with Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. With Leap4Growth accelerating business interaction, the potential to further strengthen ties between Tampere and Hong Kong continues to grow.

People of Chinese Embassy, Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong, HKETO, Hong Kong Finland Business Association, HKTDC.

As the Lunar New Year season unfolds in both project markets, the timing is symbolic: renewed energy, strengthened partnerships and concrete steps toward international growth. Companies exploring opportunities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area or Vietnam are encouraged to connect with the Leap4Growth team to discuss tailored support and practical market entry pathways.