TECH & INNOVATION  /  SME

By FedEx | August 20, 2025

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has rapidly become a leading economic center for China in recent years. The key to its success is connectivity on all levels: infrastructure, regulations, and increasingly, logistics.

• Greater Bay Area development has unleashed growth and innovation not only for Guangdong Province, but also for China as a whole. 
• Infrastructure investments and streamlined regulations have laid the foundation for enhanced connectivity, making it easier for businesses to expand across borders. 
• With the right logistics support, businesses can unlock the benefits of this connectivity and seize cross-border opportunities.

Less than 50 years ago, China’s Pearl River Delta was mainly an agricultural region of fertile plains. Today, the region has transformed at breathtaking speed to become a powerhouse of technology and innovation. Now known as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), it’s been dubbed China’s answer to Silicon Valley.

The GBA integrates nine cities in the Pearl River Delta – including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai – with the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. With strengths in finance, technology, and advanced manufacturing, this mega-region has become a major driver of China’s economic growth. The numbers are impressive: while it only makes up 0.6% of the country’s land, it produced 11% of China’s GDP in 2023.

What lies behind its meteoric rise to success? Connectivity is key – both in terms of physical infrastructure and regulatory openness. By combining the strengths of different cities, the region encourages sustainable growth and enhances its global competitiveness. It shows how coordinated regional development can turn former fishing villages into a vibrant, world-class megalopolis.

Infrastructure investments are laying the foundation for economic growth

Infrastructure investment is the backbone of the GBA’s economic growth. Upgraded transportation networks, including highways, railways, and aviation, have revolutionized mobility across the GBA and streamlined the movement of people and goods.

A prime example is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge completed in 2018. This record-breaking 55 km bridge-tunnel system creates a physical connection between the three cities, promoting the cross-border flow of goods and shortening supply chains within the GBA and beyond. For example, goods from Zhuhai can now reach Hong Kong International Airport in just 45 minutes instead of four hours. This helps cross-border businesses cut down on delivery times and gain a competitive edge.

As of December 2024, the total import and export value of goods through the Zhuhai Port has surpassed 1 trillion yuan since its opening in October 2018. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the port handled a record high of over 62 billion yuan in trade value, clocking a 23.6% year-on-year increase.

Other infrastructure successes, such as the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, are creating a “one-hour living circle” in the region – enabling every GBA city to be reached in an hour or less. This physical connectivity is accelerating cross-border logistics and knitting the diverse region into a dynamic powerhouse.

Regulatory connectivity is bridging markets

Beyond physical bridges, streamlined regulations are lowering trade barriers and bridging regional markets. Efficient customs clearance processes and integrated regulations have expedited the movement of goods, providing an agile framework for businesses to expand across borders.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Three-Places-One-Lock Scheme represents one key step towards agility. Under the scheme, customs in the three cities can monitor transshipment cargo in real-time using e-locks and GPS technology. This allows goods from Hong Kong to arrive directly in Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, without having to undergo repetitive and time-consuming customs inspections.

By reducing red tape and simplifying administrative processes around trade, this mega-region is on track to become a single market. For small businesses looking to expand, the GBA’s large and fast-growing market offers almost boundless opportunities.

Driving cross-border growth with more efficient logistics

Infrastructure investments and streamlined regulations have increased connectivity, resulting in faster and more efficient logistics networks within the GBA. Manufacturers, exporters, and e-commerce merchants can bring their goods to the world at greater speed and lower cost.

For example, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge lowers cargo transit times by 60% and enables same-day delivery across the GBA. Meanwhile, harmonized regulations like the “One Document, Two Reports” system enable businesses to submit just one cargo declaration for goods travelling through different ports. Cross-border businesses can reduce customs delays while saving on administrative time and costs.

These advances in supply chain efficiency are already reaping results. In 2024, the nine mainland GBA cities achieved record foreign trade volumes, contributing 9.7% in GDP growth to Guangdong Province’s economy. To unleash the next chapter of growth, it’s time for logistics providers to step up with smarter services tailored to the needs of local enterprises.

Supporting business success with smarter logistics solutions

As cross-border trade in the GBA continues to grow, logistics providers like FedEx are innovating to serve businesses better.

One key priority for FedEx is enhancing logistics infrastructure in the region. We’ve upgraded our gateway facility in Shenzhen to provide customers with a smoother customs clearance experience. By 2027, the new FedEx South China Operations Center in Guangzhou will sort packages three times more efficiently and further connect local businesses with global markets.

Small businesses may need more support to navigate the region’s rapidly changing logistics landscape. One cost-effective option is FedEx’s One-Stop Logistics Service, which allows Hong Kong SMEs to add on tailored services based on their needs – from preparing shipping documents to inventory management and palletization. This takes the hassle out of logistics from end to end, freeing up businesses to focus on growth.

The GBA’s journey illustrates how enhanced connectivity is driving China’s economic growth – and the region is still gaining momentum. With the right logistics support, businesses can tap into the benefits of this connectivity and unlock a world of trade possibilities. At FedEx, we’re building the logistics networks to help businesses seize opportunities across the region and beyond.