The 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026 concluded in Hong Kong after attracting more than 6,200 political and business leaders from over 70 countries and regions. The two-day event presented more than 300 investment projects, arranged over 800 one-to-one business meetings and facilitated more than 60 memoranda of understanding.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Summit was held from 9–10 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s programme placed particular emphasis on helping Chinese mainland companies expand internationally and strengthening business connections with Central Asia, the Middle East, ASEAN, Africa and Latin America.
ChinaExpoHub previously reported on the Belt and Road Summit 2026 programme and extended online matchmaking, including its new regional and professional-services zones.
The 11th Belt and Road Summit brought together political leaders, investors, project owners and professional-service providers from more than 70 countries and regions. Image: HKTDC.
Belt and Road Summit results at a glance
According to the official HKTDC closing report, the 2026 Summit produced the following results:
- More than 6,200 participants
- Representation from over 70 countries and regions
- More than 300 investment projects
- Combined project value exceeding US$5.4 billion
- Over 800 one-to-one deal-making meetings
- More than 60 MoUs facilitated
- More than 120 exhibitors
- 340 SMEs participating in the new ASEAN Market Day
The US$5.4 billion figure represents the combined value of projects presented through the Summit rather than completed transactions. Nevertheless, the number of matchmaking meetings and cooperation agreements demonstrates that the event functioned as more than a policy forum.
Its exhibition zones and project sessions created a practical meeting point for investors, infrastructure developers, technology companies, government agencies and providers of legal, financial, tax and market-entry services.
New GoGlobal Chapter targets mainland companies expanding overseas
One of the most commercially relevant additions was the first GoGlobal Chapter, created in response to the growing number of Chinese mainland enterprises seeking international markets.
The programme combined thematic discussions, business consultations, roundtables, a study mission and the GoGlobal Connect Zone. Companies were able to meet Hong Kong-based providers specialising in areas such as international taxation, legal compliance, accounting, financing, risk management and overseas employment.
This format reflects the broader work of Hong Kong’s official GoGlobal Task Force, which provides a coordinated platform for supporting mainland companies during overseas expansion.
A cooperation agreement between Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology and Deloitte Advisory Hong Kong illustrated the type of partnership encouraged through the programme. TIRAIN brings technology and product capabilities, while Deloitte will provide support related to global tax, legal, labour and compliance requirements.
For mainland manufacturers and technology companies, these services can be particularly important when entering markets with unfamiliar certification rules, employment laws, tax systems and supply-chain requirements. The Summit therefore positioned Hong Kong not only as a source of capital, but also as a base from which companies can prepare for international expansion.
Central Asia and Middle East chapters broaden the investment map
The addition of a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and Central Asia Zone gave greater visibility to projects and investment opportunities from the region.
Kazakhstan presented developments including Alatau City and Data Center Valley. Discussions also covered the country’s aerospace capabilities and plans for satellite-based applications supporting agriculture, emergency response, land management and natural-resource monitoring.
The Summit expanded its Middle Eastern content through a Middle East Chapter, exhibition zone and sessions examining opportunities in the Gulf, Africa and other emerging markets.
Speakers from Qatar, Oman, South Africa and Nigeria addressed investment conditions and cross-border cooperation. A separate project session brought together representatives from Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Oman and South Africa to discuss industries seeking international partners and financing.
Infrastructure remained an important part of the programme. Enver Iskurt, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, introduced the proposed Ankara–Istanbul high-speed railway project and highlighted potential roles for Hong Kong-based investors, financial institutions and engineering companies.
These regional sessions indicate that the Belt and Road Summit is extending its focus beyond established China–ASEAN trade connections. Companies attending future editions can expect increasing attention to Central Asian infrastructure, Gulf investment, African market entry and Latin American projects.
Project matchmaking connects capital, expertise and market access
The Summit’s commercial activity centred on its Project Investment Sessions, exhibition zones and Belt and Road Deal-Making programme.
More than 300 projects with a stated combined value above US$5.4 billion were presented to prospective investors and service providers. The programme covered areas including:
- Transport and logistics infrastructure
- Energy, utilities and natural resources
- Urban development and smart cities
- Artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure
- Green technology
- Financial and professional services
- Research commercialisation
The participation of more than 120 exhibitors allowed project owners and trade-promotion bodies to present opportunities outside the conference sessions. Alongside the returning Hong Kong, Global Investment, Chinese Mainland and ASEAN zones, the 2026 exhibition introduced areas dedicated to universities, green technology, Central Asia, the Middle East and global expansion services.
Some agreements announced around the Summit also established longer-term institutional connections. For example, Invest Hong Kong and the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency signed an MoU covering investment promotion, information exchange and support for companies entering either market.
The agreement provides a concrete example of how Summit contacts can develop into structured cooperation between investment agencies rather than ending with a single business meeting.
What the results mean for international companies
For international businesses, the most useful feature of the Summit is its combination of projects, government access, professional services and business matching within one event.
Project owners can use the platform to meet potential investors and technical partners. Financial institutions and professional-service firms can identify companies preparing for cross-border expansion. Technology suppliers, engineering businesses and infrastructure specialists can assess opportunities linked to planned developments in several emerging markets.
Hong Kong’s value in this process lies in its concentration of financial, legal, logistics and international business services. The InvestHK overview of the Summit describes the event as a platform for connecting senior officials and business leaders with practical collaboration opportunities along and beyond Belt and Road markets.
Companies considering future participation should still conduct independent due diligence. A project’s inclusion in an exhibition or matchmaking programme does not by itself confirm financing, regulatory approval or commercial viability. The Summit is best regarded as a starting point for identifying partners and beginning structured discussions.
Online deal-making continues after the Hong Kong event
Although the physical Summit has ended, the Belt and Road Deal-Making programme continues online on 14–15 September 2026. This extension gives registered participants additional time to meet project owners, investors and service providers who were unavailable during the in-person programme.
The new ASEAN Market Day also extended the Summit’s practical business focus. It attracted 340 SMEs for consultations with HKTDC representatives, ASEAN consulates and trade associations. The sessions were designed to help companies examine market conditions and identify suitable channels for expansion into Southeast Asia.
HKTDC plans to follow the format with further market-focused programmes, including GoGBA Development Day, African Market Day and Middle East Market Day.
The results of the 11th Belt and Road Summit suggest a continuing shift towards measurable business outcomes. Policy discussions remain part of the event, but project presentations, regional consultation zones and one-to-one matchmaking are becoming increasingly central to its value for participating companies.
Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s official Belt and Road Summit 2026 closing announcement and the official Belt and Road Summit website.
