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Opening Session of the Asian Financial Forum 2020 in Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong in the limelight of the global financial industry


Entering its 13th edition, Hong Kong hosted the Asian Financial Forum again on January 13 and 14, 2020, to welcome more than 100 influential global financial experts, policymakers, business leaders, economists and investors, and over 3,500 participants from around the world at this signature event. Under this year’s theme “Redefining Growth: Innovation ∙ Breakthrough ∙ Inclusiveness”, we examine many forward-looking topics such as prospects for the global economy, sustainability challenges to investment opportunities and risks brought by technology and innovation.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, attended the event and took the opportunity to promote Hong Kong as a global financial hub. From Central and Eastern Europe, we are honoured to have Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr Péter Szijjártó, and Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Bundesbank, Mr Burkhard Balz, joining us as speakers and sharing their unique perspectives.

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the 13th Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong. Photo shows (front row, from left) the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; Member of the Executive Board Deutsche Bundesbank, Mr Burkhard Balz; the Minister of Finance of Thailand, Dr Uttama Savanayana; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr Peter Lam; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Ms Qiu Hong; Mrs Lam; President and Chairman, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Mr Jin Liqun; Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Yang Yirui; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia, Mr Sergey Shvetsov; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau; and other guests at the Forum. Mrs Lam pointed out that Hong Kong's financial system remained stable and remarkably successful despite the challenges of global economic slowdown, trade disputes among major economies, geopolitical uncertainties and local issues over the past two years. Noting that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative will ensure long-term prospects for Hong Kong's economy, she added, "Through these two national policies, Hong Kong will enhance its role as the gateway and bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world."

FintechHK Startup Salon of the Asian Financial Forum 2020 in Hong Kong. The flourishing development of the startup scene in Hong Kong was also reflected in the Asian Financial Forum. As part of the Fintech Showcase together with the FintechHK Startup Salon, some 90 fintech startups, financial institutions and technology firms from Hong Kong presented their innovations and business ideas to the high-calibre conference participants. Among the topics discussed were AI, Big Data, Blockchain, Cyber Security, Payment Tech and Personal Finance.




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