HKTDC Research Experts
Introducing the HKTDC's Senior Economists
Identifying promising new trends and markets for SMEs is a central mission of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Our senior economists conduct in-depth research into developed and emerging markets and identify new business opportunities.

HKTDC economists can speak to broadcast and print media to elaborate on their first-hand research into promising new markets.

Our economists can provide interviews for timely commentary and analysis. They may also offer insights on news related to their studies of trade, business and macroeconomic issues.

The HKTDC has issued a wide variety of reports highlighting business opportunities in traditional and emerging markets. Our economists also regularly study:

  • Consumer behaviour and business practices in global markets and implications for Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong's trade outlook
  • Business opportunities related to the Chinese mainland

Meet the economists:

Irina Fan, Director of Research

Ms Irina Fan joined the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as the Director of Research in January 2022, leading the Council's Research Department to conduct a wide range of surveys, research studies, and analysis on key trends that affect the global trade and economic environment and identifying business opportunities for Hong Kong companies in the Mainland China and international markets. Irina has over 25 years of research experience with extensive exposure to Mainland China, the Asia Pacific region and international markets. Prior to joining HKTDC, she held senior positions in the financial services and banking sector, including Head of Insurance Market Analysis at Swiss Re based in Zurich and Senior Economist at Hang Seng Bank. She started her career as an HKTDC economist, overseeing services-related research projects. Irina graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Master of Economics degree.

Tel:(852) 2240 5886 Email: irina.yy.fan@hktdc.org


Irina Fan
Irina Fan,
Director of Research
Louis Chan, Deputy Director of Research

Research Interests
  • Trade and economic developments in Hong Kong
  • Trends and features of Hong Kong’s major manufacturing and services industries
  • Market and trade developments in the Americas, Europe and Central Asia
  • Trade policies and regulatory changes in the US and EU
  • Business opportunities in Latin America and emerging Europe
Mr Chan is responsible for the overall supervision of the Department’s research programme and for overseeing the HKTDC Research portal. He strives to maintain the Department’s excellent reputation among the global small and medium-sized companies that increasingly target the wider Asian market via Hong Kong’s business platform. Mr Chan was previously the Head of the Department’s Global Research Team. Here he provided leadership and direction for researches on market developments in the Americas, Europe and Central. He also steered the analysis of Hong Kong’s economic relations with these three key continents.

Tel: (852) 2240 5908 Email: louis.wk.chan@hktdc.org


Louis Chan
Louis Chan,
Deputy Director of Research
Alice Tsang, Principal Economist (Global Research)

Research Interests
  • Trends and features of Hong Kong’s major manufacturing and services industries
  • Market and trade developments in the Americas and Europe
  • Trade policies and regulatory changes in the US and EU
  • Business opportunities in Latin America and emerging Europe
  • Emerging market opportunities in Central Asia
As the head of the Global Research Team, Ms Tsang provides leadership and direction for researches on market developments in the Americas and Europe. To provide a macro view for SMEs to formulate export strategies, Ms Tsang and her team monitor and evaluate the performance, changing trends and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s trading, manufacturing and service sector, at the industry-specific levels. To facilitate SMEs’ sales efforts, they also keep a close eye on the emerging business opportunities, consumption and sourcing trends, as well as regulatory changes in the Americas, Europe and Central Asia.

Alice was previously the Head of the Department’s Greater China Team. She provided leadership and direction for researches on market developments in Mainland China, Taiwan and Macao. She also conducted analysis on Hong Kong’s economic and trade relations with these markets.

Tel:(852) 2240 5913 Email: alice.sw.tsang@hktdc.org


Alice Tsang
Alice Tsang,
Principal Economist
(Global Research)
Wing Chu, Principal Economist (Greater China)

Research Interests
  • The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) / Mainland China’s outbound investment strategy
  • Mainland China’s investment environment and ongoing development within its domestic market
  • Developments within and relating to the Greater Bay Area
  • Mainland China’s Free Trade Zone policies and initiatives
  • Free trade areas (including RCEP)
As the head of the Greater China Research Team, Mr Chu has oversight of all economic issues relating to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. His team also maintains a watching brief on key industry sectors including electronics, technology, and professional services. In addition, he heads up Special Projects and Business Advisory Service, with support from business advisors seconded from key mainland China government departments. His remit also extends to oversight of the statistical team responsible for providing real-time trade data for internal use.

Tel: (852) 2240 5907 Email: wing.wc.chu@hktdc.org


Wing Chu
Wing Chu,
Principal Economist (Greater China)
David Sit, Assistant Principal Economist (Asian and Emerging Markets)

Research Interests
  • Trends and features of Hong Kong’s major manufacturing and services industries
  • Market developments and trade policies in Asia (excluding Greater China), Middle East and Africa
  • Business opportunities in emerging markets in Asia (excluding Greater China), Middle East and Africa
As the head of Asian and Emerging Markets Research Team, Mr Sit provides leadership and direction for research on Asia (excluding Greater China), the Middle East and Africa. The team closely monitors and reports on the macro environment, market trends, consumer characteristics as well as changes in trade policies and regulations, with a mission to help Hong Kong companies capture business opportunities in these markets.

Tel:(852) 2240 5910 Email: david.hn.sit@hktdc.org


David Sit
David Sit,
Assistant Principal Economist
(Asian and Emerging Markets)