Some 100 Global Financial Experts Explore the Theme of "Asia:
Driving Change, Innovation and Connectivity"
HONG KONG, Jan 16, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - The
10th edition of the Asian Financial Forum (AFF), co-organised by
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and
the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at
the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The two-day
forum marks the first in a series of events celebrating the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. Under the theme
"Asia: Driving Change, Innovation and Connectivity", the AFF
features some 100 financial and business leaders, policymakers,
investors and high net-worth individuals from around the world to
share insights into global economic trends as well as investment
opportunities in Asia for the coming year.
Vincent HS Lo: Re-integration of international relations
CY Leung, Chief Executive, HKSAR, and Vincent HS Lo, Chairman,
HKTDC, officiated the opening ceremony of the forum. In his
welcoming remarks, Mr Lo said: "2016 was a tumultuous year, and we
have learned to weather the storm and anticipate the unexpected.
Coming to a new year, we can expect a re-integration of
international allies and trade cooperation. We can also anticipate
a change in economic, fiscal and trading policies that affect all
aspects of our lives in the long term. The theme for this year's
AFF, 'Asia: Driving Change, Innovation and Connectivity', aims to
investigate Asia's role in the current economic and political
environment."
Senior finance officials analyse Asia's role in a global
economy
The opening Plenary Session of the AFF 2017 was chaired by Prof KC
Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the
HKSAR and featured such high-level speakers as Mihaly Varga,
Minister for National Economy of Hungary, Simon Kirby, Economic
Secretary to the Treasury, United Kingdom, Mohammad Khazaee, Vice
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran and President of
the Organisation for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance
of Iran (OIETAI) and Kiatchai Sophastienphong, Vice Minister for
Finance, Thailand. They discussed the driving forces behind change,
innovation and connectivity in Asia and implications for
sustainable global economic development.
In this morning's Policy Dialogue, themed "Challenges for Central
Banks and Financial Regulators in an Era of new Political and
Economic Uncertainty", Panel Chair Ashley Ian Alder, Chief
Executive Officer of Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission,
along with Klaus Regling, Managing Director, European Stability
Mechanism, Saeb Eigner, Chairman, Dubai Financial Services
Authority, Andrea Enria, Chairperson, European Banking Authority,
Mirza Adityaswara, Senior Deputy Governor, Bank Indonesia, Ksenia
Yudaeva, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia, and Jeong
Eun-bo, Vice Chairman of Financial Services Commission, Korea,
examined challenges faced by policymakers and regulators. Topics
included the implications of Brexit, policies of incoming US
President Donald Trump, impact of a strong US dollar and how global
financial stability can be sustained in an era of political and
economic uncertainty.
Mohamed A. El-Erian dissects the global economic landscape
AFF Keynote Luncheons are renowned for inviting influential
speakers, and this year is no exception. A packed audience at
today's luncheon heard from Dr Mohamed A. El-Erian, Chief Economic
Advisor at Allianz and Chair of US President Barack Obama's Global
Development Council. Dr El-Erian examined the current economic and
political impact on global markets while analysing investment risks
and opportunities for the year ahead. He also took part in a
dialogue for more in-depth exchanges with AFF participants on a
variety of topical issues.
Analysing prospects for ASEAN and China opportunities
In today's AFF panel discussions, thought leaders representing some
of the world's most important multinationals, sovereign funds and
financial institutions explored the prospects for ASEAN, China
opportunities and the global economy. Speakers included Raymond L
Conner, Vice Chairman, The Boeing Company, Ding Xuedong, Chairman
& CEO, China Investment Corporation, Sung-Soo Eun, Chairman of
the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Korea
Investment Corporation, Lai Xiaomin, Chairman, China Huarong Asset
Management Co. Ltd, Ning Gaoning, Chairman, Sinochem Group, Chairul
Tanjung, Founder and Chairman, CT Corp, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de
Ayala, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ayala Corporation.
Celebrating this special edition of the forum, the AFF 10th Edition
Cocktail Reception takes place this evening. A highlight of the
Reception will be a retrospective look at the financial industry
through the eyes of previous AFF speakers who have attended the
event over the past decade. The event also features cocktails and
snacks especially crafted for the occasion as well as a music
performance while a robot serves as the master of ceremonies.
Industry-specific panels
The AFF will continue with another full programme of events
tomorrow. Sponsored by Hong Kong's Financial Services Development
Council, the Breakfast Panel will explore the theme "Positioning
Hong Kong in the New World Order". Speakers will share thoughts on
how Hong Kong can capture opportunities related to the Belt and
Road Initiative, green finance and Fintech. It will be followed by
the Panel Discussion on Payment Technology and Cyber Security,
co-organised with Cyberport. Speaking at the keynote luncheon
tomorrow will be Dr Raghuram Rajan, Distinguished Service Professor
of Finance at the University of Chicago the Booth School and
previously the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Known as
a "rock star" bank governor, Dr Rajan will share how central banks
around the world formulate monetary policy in response to different
government strategies and their effect on emerging markets.
A series of thematic workshops are also organised to examine key
topics including green finance, private wealth management and
innovation in the insurance industry. The thematic workshop
co-organised with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Infrastructure
Financing Facilitation Office (IFFO) and the Financial Services and
the Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government will invite speakers to
discuss prospects and challenges for infrastructure financing in
Asia as well as Hong Kong's role.
Investment and networking opportunities abound at the AFF
The Global Investment Summit returns to AFF, following its
successful launch last year. The keynote address by International
Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director Tao Zhang on the global
investment outlook will be followed by panel sessions involving
representatives from Asian Development Bank, China-ASEAN Investment
Cooperation Fund, investment banks and credit rating agencies.
Under the spotlight will be opportunities and challenges in the
ASEAN and Middle East markets.
The AFF Deal Flow Matchmaking Session, co-organised by the HKTDC
and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association,
will be held tomorrow. One-on-one meetings will be arranged to
facilitate business cooperation for 160 investors and 400 project
owners, private equity firms, investors, high net-worth
individuals, intermediaries and professional services providers
from more than 40 countries. Industry briefings, networking
opportunities and project presentations focusing on food and
agriculture, Fintech, cleantech & manufacturing technology and
infrastructure investment will also be organised.
AFF participants can also explore worldwide investment
opportunities and projects at the Global Investment Zone through 13
participating investment agencies from countries such as Germany,
Iran, Israel, Poland, South Africa, the US and Vietnam. Meanwhile,
representatives from financial institutions, accounting firms, as
well as legal and commercial consultants will be on hand to provide
free consultation services at the Financial and Professional
Advisory Services Zone.
For the second year in a row, PwC is the official Knowledge Partner
of AFF, presenting at the PwC knowledge cafe and satellite booth a
variety of digital experiences including the Game of Threats(TM)
interactive simulation, which gives participants the chance to
experience a virtual cyber breach and learn how to respond to such
an attack, the Finance Virtual Reality Experience, Google Home, and
an interactive display that allows participants to see the
disruptors in the business environment and how well they respond to
disruption.
Promoting Hong Kong's financial services
The AFF is the flagship event of the International Financial Week,
a comprehensive programme of activities designed to facilitate
greater exchange of ideas and business opportunities among global
finance and business professionals. These events are aimed at
showcasing Hong Kong's competitive edge in financial services and
they include such themes as cross-border market access, private
equity and alternative investment.
Websites:
Asian Financial Forum Website:
http://www.asianfinancialforum.com
International Financial Week Website:
http://www.internationalfinancialweek.com
* The programme is subject to change. Please visit the forum
website for details.
Photo download link: http://bit.ly/2jqzG3z
Media Registration:
Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register
on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.
To view press releases in Chinese, please visit
http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
About HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council
(HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for
Hong Kong's businesses. With more than 40 offices globally,
including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong
as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world.
With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international
exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide
companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the
mainland and in international markets, while providing business
insights and information via trade publications, research reports
and digital channels including the media room. For more
information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on
Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+hktdc
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdc
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-council
Source: HKTDC
Contact:
HKTDC
Communication and Public Affairs Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
HSBC (NYSE:HSBC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
HSBC (NYSE:HSBC)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024