Chinese State Leader Reinforces Hong Kong's Unique Advantages for
Developing the Belt and Road Initiative
HONG KONG, May 18, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Hong Kong hosted the
inaugural Belt and Road Summit today (18 May) to explore business
opportunities presented to the world by the Belt and Road
Initiative. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
more than 20 senior government ministers from countries located
along the Belt and Road routes as well as business leaders from
Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, ASEAN and other regions spoke at
the summit, sharing insights from a wide range of perspectives. The
high-level event welcomed more than 2,400 participants, including
investors, project owners and services professionals.
The Belt and Road Summit was organised by the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), supported by the
People's Republic of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National
Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce, and the
People's Bank of China, in association with the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council (HKTDC).
HKTDC Chairman Vincent HS Lo and Chief Executive of Hong Kong the
Hon CY Leung spoke at the opening ceremony. Zhang Dejiang, Member
of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist
Party of China Central Committee, and Chairman of the Standing
Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's
Republic of China, delivered a keynote speech in the morning
session. He shared insights into the opportunities brought about by
the Belt and Road Initiative and highlighted Hong Kong's unique
advantages and pivotal role in the Initiative.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr Lo said, "The Hong Kong Trade
Development Council has been promoting our city as an integrator
that brings together governments, capital and expertise to maximise
Belt and Road opportunities. In addition to launching a resource
portal, supporting today's summit is another milestone in our
work."
- Key issues cover policy coordination, sector cooperation and
ASEAN development -
The summit featured three panel sessions. The first panel, chaired
by Laura Cha, Chairman of Hong Kong's Financial Services
Development Council, analysed investment opportunities from the
policymakers' perspective. Speakers included HE Eng Sultan Saeed
AlMansoori, Minister of Economy, the United Arab Emirates; HE Ong
Ka Chuan, Second Minister of International Trade and Industry,
Malaysia; Franky Sibarani, Chairman, Indonesia Investment
Coordinating Board (BKPM); and the Hon Gregory So, Secretary for
Commerce and Economic Development, HKSAR. The panellists shared
their views on how governments can develop their own policies and
work with other countries to facilitate cooperation.
Enhancing cross-sector connectivity among economies along the Belt
and Road is a major goal of the Initiative. Addressing this topic,
the second panel presented influential business leaders offering
their insights into closer cooperation between different sectors
within the Belt and Road framework. Speakers included Dr Victor
Fung, Group Chairman, Fung Group (Panel Chair); HE Sultan Ahmed Bin
Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World;
Douglas Flint, Group Chairman, HSBC Holdings plc; Dr DJ Pandian,
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank; Lin Jingzhen, Deputy Chief Executive, Bank of
China (Hong Kong) Limited; and Professor the Hon KC Chan, Secretary
for Financial Services and the Treasury, HKSAR.
The final panel examined the importance of closer business
partnerships and the crucial role of ASEAN in the Belt and Road
Initiative. The panel was chaired by Kevin Sneader, Chairman, Asia,
McKinsey & Company and featured ASEAN business elites,
including, Narong Chearavanont, Vice Chairman, Charoen Pokphand
Group; Suryo Bambang Sulisto, Chairman, KADIN Indonesia Honorary
Council and Founder, PT Satmarindo Group; Teresita Sy-Coson, Vice
Chairperson, SM Investments Corporation; Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh
Sock Ping, Managing Director, YTL Group; and Dr Jonathan Choi,
Chairman, Sunwah Group.
- Silk Road fund and investment opportunities -
During the Keynote Luncheon, the Hon John Tsang, Financial
Secretary of the HKSAR, delivered opening remarks and Han Weiqiang,
Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of China International
Capital Corporation Limited, introduced the keynote speaker Jin Qi,
Chairman of the Silk Road Fund. The US$40 billion Silk Road Fund
was established to help finance the Belt and Road Initiative,
mainly in infrastructure and resources, as well as projects related
to industrial and financial cooperation. Ms Jin said that Hong Kong
can facilitate communications and connections among Belt and Road
countries, and can provide an ideal platform for financing and
asset management.
At the Dialogue on "The Way Forward", HKTDC Chairman Mr Lo shared
the stage with Wang Zhan, President of the Shanghai Academy of
Social Sciences and Executive Vice President of Yangtze Council.
The dialogue delved more deeply into the next steps for the
Initiative and explored how businesses can plan strategically to
prepare themselves for the Belt and Road opportunities ahead.
During the Dialogue, Chen Dongsheng, President of China
Entrepreneurs Forum announced the setting up of a Belt and Road
fund in Hong Kong to capitalise on the opportunities.
- Tangible steps towards marketising the Belt and Road -
Apart from insights and knowledge, the summit offered opportunities
for effective networking and business matching through its Business
Matching Workshops, exhibition and infrastructure display while a
side-trip to some of the mainland's Free Trade Zones is scheduled
tomorrow. The workshops, under the themes of infrastructure,
urbanisation and utilities, gathered investors, project owners and
services professionals to build business partnerships through
networking and business matching. An exhibition was also staged,
with 27 Hong Kong services providers showcasing their expertise in
banking and financial services, infrastructural development and
professional services. At the Global Investment Zone, 10 countries
introduced their investment projects to international
investors.
In collaboration with the Association of Architectural Practices
(AAP) and Association of Consulting Engineers of Hong Kong (ACEHK),
the HKTDC mounted a signature display of around 145 infrastructure
projects in Hong Kong, showcasing the city's infrastructure and
real estate-related services.
Tomorrow (19 May), the HKTDC will organise a full-day business trip
to Shenzhen and Qianhai for participants to learn about the latest
plans and developments for these Free Trade Zones on the mainland.
The Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen is slated to play a crucial
role under the Belt and Road Initiative, providing a strategic
platform for cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in a range
of professional services.
The Belt and Road Summit received valuable support from more than
30 global business leaders who served as the event's honorary
advisors. The event also featured China International Capital
Corporation Limited as Strategic Partner and Bank of China (Hong
Kong) Limited as Diamond Sponsor.
Related Websites:
-Belt and Road Summit: www.beltandroadsummit.hk
-Belt and Road Portal: www.beltandroad.hk
Watch the Summit:
http://webcast.info.gov.hk/revamp/eng/index.html
Photo Caption:
"Zhang Dejiang (centre), Member of the Standing Committee of the
Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee,
and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress of the People's Republic of China joins the Hon CY Leung
(sixth from left), Chief Executive of the HKSAR and the Hon CH Tung
(sixth from right), Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the opening
of the Belt and Road Summit"
Photos Download: http://bit.ly/1Ny0lpS
This release in Chinese: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
About HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for
Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With
more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese
mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing
business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises
international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to
provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities
on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing
information via trade publications, research reports and digital
channels including the media room. For more information, please
visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc,
LinkedIn.
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+hktdc
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdc
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-council
Source: HKTDC
Contact:
HKTDC
Comms & Public Affairs Dept
Nick Waters
Tel: +852 2584 4517
Email: nick.waters@hktdc.org
Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
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