FS meets with political and business leaders at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (with photos/video)
******************************************************************************************
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday (January 17, Davos time) where he met with political and business leaders from various countries attending the meeting.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, Mr Chan met with a number of financial and economic officials from the Middle East and Central Asia, including Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, Mr Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Abdulla Adel Fakhro; the Minister of Finance of Qatar, Mr Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari; and the Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan, Mr Alibek Kuantyrov.
At the above bilateral meetings, Mr Chan pointed out that as a link and platform for promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong can make unique contributions in areas such as fostering regional financial connectivity, expanding trade, and fostering cultural exchanges. Noting that countries in the Middle East and Central Asia have been actively promoting economic diversification and green transformation in recent years, Mr Chan welcomed them to make use of Hong Kong’s highly efficient and robust financial market to facilitate the development, promotion and financing of enterprises and projects, and to achieve better development together in a mutually beneficial and complementarity manner.
In addition, Mr Chan and Mr Yau also met with the Minister of Economy and Finance of Italy, Mr Giancarlo Giorgetti, and the Governor of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, Mr Julio Velarde Flores respectively. They exchanged views on the current global financial environment, geopolitical situation, and green transformation.
During a keynote speech at a luncheon, Mr Chan said that China continues to be open to the world with its economy steadily growing. Embracing international collaboration in technology-driven industries and supply chain, China will continue to create a strong momentum for the development of the world economy. With the unique advantages of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is striving to enhance its position as an international financial centre, fast-tracking the development of the international innovation and technology hub, and play the role of a bridge between the Mainland and the world so as to forge win-win co-operation.
In the evening, Mr Chan joined the China Night of the WEF Annual Meeting and delivered a speech at the dinner to introduce how Hong Kong has utilised its role as a connector, bridge and gateway to assist in the economic development of China and Asia.
Mr Chan also received interviews by a number of Hong Kong, Mainland and international media agencies to address issues of concern.
Mr Chan will continue his fourth day of visit to Davos today (January 18, Davos time).