Recent HKTDC events helped global businesses and investors seize Belt and Road and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area opportunities.
The 12th Asian Financial Forum was attended by more than 3,300 financial and business leaders from around the world
Asian Financial Forum, 14-15 January 2019
Last month, more than 3,300 financial and business leaders from around the world attended the two-day Asian Financial Forum (AFF) co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Themed “Creating a Sustainable and Inclusive Future”, the forum examined the current economic environment and gauged the views of participants through real-time polling on issues such as the global economy, investment opportunities, and the challenges brought about by technology and innovation, and helped participants explore business and investment opportunities through the 700 one-on-one meetings arranged during the AFF Deal Flow Matchmaking Session.
The AFF featured a panel discussion entitled “Risk Management along the Belt and Road” which detailed the linkage between risk management, insurance and the bankability of Belt and Road infrastructure projects. Dominic Samengo-Turner, CEO of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia, said syndication is an increasingly attractive option for insurers – with international insurers supporting Chinese insurers. Nic Nicandrou, Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, advised insurers to capitalise on Belt and Road opportunities: “Insurers have three roles to play: as long-term investors complementary to banks and governments, as promoters of policy engagement to help alleviate risks and standardise governance, and as trusted partners and a gateway for other investors from beyond Asia.”
Business of IP Asia Forum, 6-7 December 2018
The eighth edition of the Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum), jointly organised by the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC and Hong Kong Design Centre, brought together more than 80 intellectual property (IP) experts from leading global companies to share their insights on a range of industry topics and discuss the advantages Hong Kong offers for exploring new business opportunities.
Delivering the opening address at the forum, Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, said: “The Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development will give rise to immense opportunities for Hong Kong. They certainly include serving as an Intellectual Property trading hub for the Asia-Pacific region.”
A session co-organised with the International Trademark Association tomorrow, entitled “Secure the Trust of Your Brands along the Belt and Road”, had customs officials from Hong Kong, Laos, Sri Lanka and Malaysia discuss how businesses can protect their brands along the Belt and Road. Guy Fong, Customs Group Head of Intellectual Property Investigation (Operations), Hong Kong Customs Department, said: “With the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the volume of trade and shipment via Hong Kong is bound to increase. Our department reinforces close collaboration with cross-border enforcement agencies, right owners and logistics companies to exchange intelligence and to effectively combat counterfeit goods. This contributed to a secure and favourable business environment for brand owners who want to enter the market in or through Hong Kong.”
Digital Silk Road Working Group
A Digital Silk Road Working Group was set up under the HKTDC Belt and Road Committee, expanding the committee’s scope and complementing the work of the existing International Market, Chinese Mainland & ASEAN, Professional Services, SMEs & Younger Generation, and PR & Communications Working Groups.
With Dr Lee George Lam, Non-Executive Chairman-Hong Kong and ASEAN Region and Chief Adviser of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Asia, as convenor, the Digital Silk Road Working Group aims to promote Hong Kong as the hub for big data computing, innovation and technology, digital trade financing, digital marketing, smart city development and e-arbitration for Belt and Road countries, by engaging industry players, investors and users related to innovation and technology sectors in Hong Kong and around the world.
