Hong Kong trade has moved from adapting to uncertainty to actively engineering against it. AI is no longer experimental. FinTech is no longer optional. Online sourcing is no longer an alternative but a core part of modern trade. The businesses that will define the next decade of cross-border trade are already operating with them at the core of how they work.
This report, based on a joint survey of 462 Hong Kong cross-border sourcing professionals and traders conducted by Airwallex and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), reveals the most rapid technology shift the sector has seen in a decade.
In 2025, we said Hong Kong’s cross-border traders were navigating uncertainty. In 2026, they’re not navigating anymore. They’re rebuilding. This report tells the story of how — and what’s next.
From Adapting to Acting: How Hong Kong Traders are Responding
Rising costs and increasing uncertainty are prompting businesses to rethink how they compete. Alongside traditional growth strategies such as market expansion and brand building, more than 68% of respondents are investing in technology-enabled, data-driven solutions to improve efficiency, enhance resilience and strengthen competitiveness. Leading priorities include adopting AI and automation (30%), data-driven decision making (24%), and more efficient cross-border payment solutions (23%) to strengthen competitiveness.
The New Sourcing Playbook: The Tipping Point Toward Online
Nearly 80% of cross-border buyers expect online sourcing to increase in the next 12 months — including half of those who source exclusively offline today.
Notably, half of traders that currently rely on traditional sourcing methods also plan to adopt online sourcing. The findings suggest that digital sourcing is no longer confined to early adopters. It is becoming an integral part of how companies identify suppliers, evaluate opportunities and conduct business across borders.
AI Goes Mainstream
In 12 months, AI adoption among Hong Kong traders has tripled — from 25% to 79%. FinTech adoption tells the same story: 60% of traders now run cross-border transactions on FinTech, also a threefold leap. What was once an emerging technology is rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations, helping traders streamline workflows, manage risk and compete in an increasingly digital trading environment.
AI becomes a business essential
Nearly 80% of respondents have already incorporated AI into their business operations, whether through free or paid tools. Adoption has increased roughly threefold over the past 12 months, highlighting the rapid shift from experimentation to everyday business use.
AI supports smarter sourcing decisions
AI is no longer used simply to find suppliers. Increasingly, it is helping traders compare options, evaluate suppliers and make more informed sourcing decisions. Price comparison and negotiation (31%) is now the most common application, followed by supplier search (28%), quality control and inspection (27%), order management and tracking (26%), and supplier evaluation and verification (24%). AI is becoming an integral part of decision-making across the sourcing journey.
The Wall - What's Holding Adoption Back?
The barriers to Hong Kong’s next wave of AI adoption aren’t about technology. They’re about trust, talent and budget.
Talent and budget remain the biggest hurdles
Nearly half (47%) of respondents say lack of in-house technical expertise is the biggest barrier to AI, while 39% point to high costs or limited budgets. Together, these findings reinforce that successful AI adoption depends not only on access to technology, but also on the people, skills and investment needed to put it into practice.
Building trust in AI-powered sourcing
In sourcing, the AI adoption wall is built of two materials: data security (39%) and reliability of AI recommendations (38%). Building confidence in both data protection and the reliability of AI-generated insights will be essential as businesses expand the use of AI across the sourcing process.
What's Next: Where the Next AI Wave is Heading
AI moves deeper into sourcing
Demand for AI in sourcing is expected to accelerate as businesses look beyond basic automation and towards more strategic applications. Traders see the greatest potential in supplier discovery and evaluation, followed by risk assessment and compliance, and demand forecasting and inventory management. In this context, AI is increasingly being viewed not simply as a sourcing tool, but as a means of strengthening decision-making, improving supply chain resilience and supporting more intelligent procurement.
The Path Forward: Five Moves for Hong Kong's Next Era of Trade
Hong Kong’s trading community is at a pivotal moment. The data tells a single story: traders have moved from talking about AI to operating with it, from hedging against uncertainty to engineering against it. The next 12 months will not be about whether to adopt AI and new technologies, it will be about how well, how fast, and how strategically.
For a detailed analysis of the current landscape and our recommendations based on the survey result, please click the following button to download the full PDF report:
With evolving economic environment and changing market demands, it is vital to choose a reliable e-commerce platform.
Be sure to continue your sourcing with hktdc.com Sourcing, a statutory-backed e-Marketplace with thousands of product varieties and trusted by millions of buyers and suppliers worldwide.
Our e-Marketplace provides a one-stop e-commerce platform for suppliers like you to:
- display a comprehensive product portfolio
- showcase certifications, awards and third-party verifications
- meet potential buyers online anytime, anywhere
- ensure your products appear in relevant buyer searches with advanced AI technology
Kickstart your exploration by clicking the banner below:
[Disclaimer]
This report is based on the joint survey, “Business Technology Adoption Survey: AI, Sourcing Behaviour and Cross-Border Payments”, conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Airwallex. The survey fieldwork was conducted by HKTDC and Airwallex between March and April 2026 among 462 Hong Kong-based cross-border traders.
All published versions of this report are based on the same survey dataset, methodology and research findings. Differences in structure, commentary, analysis and thematic emphasis may exist to reflect the respective priorities and perspectives of the publishing organisation. These editorial differences do not alter the underlying survey results.
