HK role unique in Belt-Road

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui today said with its robust financial ecosystem, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to contribute to the Belt & Road Initiative.

He added that Hong Kong's participation in the initiative enables the city to explore new opportunities for collaboration with financial institutions from around the world.

Delivering his opening remarks at the thematic session "Hong Kong: Capital Raising Hub for ASEAN, Middle East & Beyond" of the first Finance Chapter of the Belt & Road Summit today, Mr Hui illustrated Hong Kong's strengths in infrastructure financing.

He noted that as infrastructure development gains momentum within the Belt & Road region, enterprises can turn to Hong Kong for diverse avenues of capital raising and financing.

Renowned as Asia's leading bond market, Hong Kong offers a range of options such as initial public offerings, post-listing arrangements, bond issuance and bank loans.

According to the International Capital Market Association, in terms of bonds issued internationally by Asia-based entities, the volume arranged by Hong Kong ranked first globally for seven consecutive years since 2016, exceeding US$100 billion and capturing 30% of the market in 2022.

Mr Hui added that as a premier asset and wealth management centre, Hong Kong is endeavouring to attract corporations in the Belt & Road countries and regions to set up corporate treasury centres, by making efforts in the diversification of fund structure.

This includes the Open-ended Fund Company and Limited Partnership Fund regimes, and provision of re-domiciliation mechanism for foreign funds to migrate to Hong Kong.

On the pivotal role of Middle East & Association of Southeast Asian Nations within the Belt & Road Initiative, Mr Hui said the regions present numerous opportunities for collaboration and growth.

He noted that Hong Kong stands ready to provide one-stop solutions with its world-class financial infrastructure and professional services for countries and regions along the Belt & Road to attract international capital to support project developments.