The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) concluded on 27 January after two days of discussions and knowledge sharing. Over 4,000 business leaders and officials from more than 60 countries and regions took part.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the forum focused on “Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape” and featured more than 150 speakers.
A new Global Business Summit on the second day explored the role of finance in supporting business growth.
It examined how Hong Kong can help Chinese Mainland enterprises expand internationally and facilitate foreign companies entering the Mainland market.
In his opening remarks, Financial Secretary Paul Chan highlighted trade, finance, and innovation and technology as key drivers of economic growth.
“Hong Kong is not just a platform that connects capital, market, projects, talent and opportunity. Hong Kong is willing to be a strategic partner to help you grow, scale up and go global,”
he said.
Chan also outlined incentives for technology and industrial enterprises establishing a presence in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis. These include land grants, tax measures, and other facilitation.
HKTDC Chairman Frederick Ma said:
“Working together on shared goals adds to the agility and resilience of our economies, industries and communities. Hong Kong, under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, is perfectly suited to host these conversations and promote cross-sector collaboration.”
Plenary sessions covered Chinese Mainland enterprises going global, strategic collaboration for shared growth, and high-value sectors such as biomedicine, green energy, AI, and robotics.
Speakers included representatives from JP Morgan, Revolut, Tencent, Amgen, Merck, and others.
Keynote speaker Paul Polman presented his “Net Positive” corporate sustainability approach. He emphasised systemic change, climate action, and social equality.
The AFF Deal-making session connected over 280 investors with more than 600 projects, resulting in 800 one-on-one meetings.
The forum also marked the start of International Financial Week, featuring 14 industry events on topics from digital and green finance to private equity.
This highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a regional financial hub.
Featured image credit: AFF
