FS concludes trip in Davos

Financial Secretary Paul Chan entered the last day of his visit to Davos in Switzerland yesterday for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.

Mr Chan participated in a session titled “Next-Generation Industrial Strategies” and spoke as a guest on policies in promoting industrial development.

He also attended an informal gathering of world economic leaders and participated in discussions on challenges faced by the world and prospects of economic growth.

At noon, Mr Chan participated in the Washington Post Foreign Policy Lunch, meeting political and business leaders, and talked about Hong Kong's latest situation and opportunities.

He then met Indonesia's Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia. They exchanged views on ways to strengthen bilateral investments and trade co-operation.

Mr Chan said that Hong Kong and Indonesia are close partners, enjoying close ties on bilateral investment. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre with vibrant stock and bond markets, is the ideal place for secondary listings of Indonesian enterprises, which could tap into funds from both the Mainland and global investors. Hong Kong can also assist in raising funds to engage in large-scale infrastructure and decarbonisation projects.

He congratulated Indonesia for ratifying its role in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and thanked the country for its support of Hong Kong's application to join the RCEP.

The Financial Secretary also met the Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF Prof Klaus Schwab.

He also attended a gathering co-hosted by Co-chair of the Hong Kong-Europe Business Council Victor Chu and Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann. Mr Chan introduced Hong Kong's latest situation and opportunities of development to participants, including senior members of multinational companies, financial institutions, academia and media organisations.

In concluding his visit to Davos, Mr Chan said: “At the WEF Annual Meeting, the Hong Kong team had, through engaging delegates from all over the world and leaders from different sectors, actively explained Hong Kong's advantages and core competitiveness, and told the world that Hong Kong is back.

“Strengthening co-operation in a fragmented world is what countries should strive to do together. Hong Kong, under the 'one country, two systems' and with the firm support of our country, will play its role well as a financial, trading and shipping centre. By actively connecting to the world, we will make valuable contributions to global co-operation and development.”

Mr Chan will leave Switzerland today and arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow.