Leap4Growth Maps Market Pathways for Tampere SMEs to the Greater Bay Area

At Helsinki’s Journey to Hong Kong – Grow and Succeed event and the Lunar New Year Reception on 11 February, the EU-funded Leap4Growth project outlined concrete market-entry pathways for Tampere SMEs targeting the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

The high-level gathering, co-organised by the Finland–Hong Kong Business Association, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, brought together about 150 representatives from government, business and innovation ecosystems. The event highlighted regional companies’ early steps toward Asian markets.

Leap4Growth, coordinated by Business Tampere under the EU Central Baltic Programme, offers a structured support route combining market-expert coaching, lead generation, export missions and hands-on training to move firms from initial scouting to concrete deals. Project lead Yi Tang presented alongside representatives from Tampere companies such as Lojer, EPSE, ABM Composite, Inion, Flowmedik and Pegasor.

Speakers described Hong Kong as an international gateway to mainland China and the wider Asia-Pacific, stressing that Nordic SMEs need local insight, careful preparation and long-term commitment to succeed. They said coordinated public backing and practical market guidance are decisive for firms attempting to scale in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and in Vietnam.

Tampere’s links with Asia already include a sister-city relationship with Guangzhou, a memorandum of understanding with Shenzhen and a cooperation agreement signed with Ho Chi Minh City in spring 2025. Leap4Growth will continue to accelerate business interaction as companies use the post-Lunar New Year season to pursue follow-up contacts and concrete market steps.