Officials from Hong Kong on Visits to Germany and Switzerland

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury promotes Hong Kong as an international asset and wealth management and risk management centre in Switzerland

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the 41st session of the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, Switzerland in November 2024, where he was invited as a panelist for the discussion session entitled “Sustainability reporting frameworks and standards: from interoperability to full harmonization”. He elaborated on Hong Kong’s efforts to create a comprehensive ecosystem for sustainability disclosure, aiming to be among the first jurisdictions to align local requirements with International Financial Reporting Standards (ISSB Standards).

Hong Kong is a leading international financial centre, with our financial sector contributing nearly one-fourth of Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product. Switzerland and Hong Kong offer financial services across different time zones and there is ample room for cooperation between the two places. Mr Hui met with the State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance, Ms Daniela Stoffel, to discuss opportunities for bilateral co-operation.

To update industry players on Hong Kong’s developments as an international asset and wealth management and risk management centre, Mr Hui also met with representatives of a number of leading banks and insurance companies in Switzerland, as well as the World Economic Forum and International Institute for Management Development.

Hong Kong will continue to strengthen its position as an asset and wealth management hub, as well as global risk management centre. We welcome investors and family offices around the world to seize investment and business opportunitunites, and drive the high quality development in financial services in Hong Kong.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (left) met with Mr David Bach (right), the President of the International Institute for Management Developmenton 7 November 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics promotes Hong Kong as an international maritime centre in Hamburg

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, speaking at a seminar the SMM trade fair in Hamburg, Germany on 3 September 2024.

The global maritime sector is undergoing profound transformation in recent years, driven by digitalisation, decarbonisation, geopolitical and trade dynamics. Against the backdrop, the strategic position of the Hong Kong international maritime centre as the “super connector” between Mainland China and the global markets is particular important and highly valuable.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, led a delegation of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board to Hamburg, Germany from 3 to 6 September 2024. One of the highlights of this visit was the delegation’s participation in the SMM trade fair 2024, where Mr Lam delivered a speech to update the international maritime community on the latest developments of Hong Kong’s maritime industry. He also joineda panel discussion at SMM together with other industry experts, and shared his insights on energy transition in global transport and logistics with the audience.

Mr Lam and the delegation also visited major industry players including shipping liners, shipping associations and logistics companies to update them about the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong’s maritime industry.

Efficiency and connectivity are the two keywords for which Hong Kong is renowned, including on the maritime front with comprehensive business capabilities. Being a free port with efficient customs clearance and strong international connectivity featuring over 300 container vessel sailings each week to nearly 500 destinations worldwide, Hong Kong boasts a vibrant maritime services cluster comprising more than 1 100 companies that provide shipping and maritime business services. The Hong Kong Government also recently promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering in November, which set out clear strategies and actions to promote the development of Hong Kong into a high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung (centre) was briefed on the recent developments at the port of Hamburg.