Tag: Belt and Road Summit / HKTDC

Some 6,000 global business leaders foster Belt and Road synergies

The eighth edition of the Belt and Road Summit, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded today after a successful two-day event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Marking 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Summit brought together some 90 government officials and business leaders from more than 70 countries and regions along the Belt and Road. The event garnered significant attention, attracting some 6,000 participants from around the world.

An effective platform to showcase Hong Kong’s unique advantages, the Summit enjoys unwavering support from Mainland China and strong global connections. With Hong Kong as a gateway for foreign investment and a facilitator for global expansion, the event fostered connections with emerging markets and promoted the growth of emerging industries. This resulted in the signing of 21 memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The event also provided young leaders and start-ups with an opportunity to participate and share BRI opportunities and successes.

Charting emerging-market development
Under the theme Prospering on a Decade of Collaboration, this year’s Summit hosted multiple panel discussions and sessions to highlight emerging markets.

This includes policy dialogues and project investment sessions focused on the Middle East, which were complemented by business plenaries and thematic breakout sessions on a range of topics to reflect on the past 10 years of the BRI and explore future business and investment opportunities across industries.

The focus on the Middle East at the Summit followed high-level and industry-specific missions to the Middle East this year, including a high-level delegation led by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee that visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Summit’s first session, Policy Dialogue, hosted by Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong SAR, invited heavyweight speakers to share their insights, focused on enhancing cooperation to promote investments, financial services and development solutions between Belt and Road countries and the Middle East.

Speaking on the topic of Tapping into the Potential of the Middle East, Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, said: “Egypt and Mainland China have cooperated on trade infrastructure for a long time. The mainland has invested extensively in port and industrial-park infrastructure in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, including in manufacturing and technology projects. There is a fundamental overhaul in sustainable infrastructure and the global value chain, with developments in such areas as bunkering and logistics.”

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the UAE, also shared his views: “We want to switch ourselves from a linear to a circular economy, continually re-cycling resources,” Mr Al Marri said. One scheme the country was working on was “fry to fly,” where an industrial plant converted used cooking oil into aviation fuel. As with Hong Kong, both tourism and aviation were vital for the UAE, he said. Each sector accounted for 14% of UAE’s GDP so it was vital to ensure both became sustainable. As with Hong Kong and its membership of the Greater Bay Area, the UAE was developing manufacturing in the Middle East, planning industrial corridors with Bahrain and Jordan.”

Meanwhile, Fahd bin Abdulmohsan Al-Rasheed, Advisor in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia, said: “All of Saudi Arabia was focused on the Vision 2030 project, an ambitious project to create a vibrant society and prosperous nation. A key part of Vision 2030 was the innovative city of NEOM, a technology-focused metropolis being built from scratch, stretching inland from the Red Sea coast in the northwest of the country. The Middle East and Saudi Arabia had a lot to contribute to the Belt and Road. The Red Sea, which runs along the Kingdom’s west coast, carried 30% of the world’s shipping.”

Debut Middle East Forum boosts synergy for BRI
The Middle East Forum made its debut on Day 2, 14 September, to reinforce the synergy of the BRI. A business session, featuring the Business and Investment Outlook in the Middle East Market, hosted by Ronnie C. Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Limited, invited distinguished guests, including Nicolas Aguzin, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Maher Aboud, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ghassan Aboud Group, Ahmed Obaid Yousef Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of the Sharjah Investment Development Authority; Hossam Heiba, President of the General Authority for Investment & Free Zones; and Walid Majdalani, Managing Director Corporate Investment for Middle East and North Africa of Investcorp, to analyse Middle Eastern market trade and investment prospects and further strengthen connections between Hong Kong and Middle Eastern countries.

Over 280 investment projects matched
The hybrid business matching and project pitching sessions at the Summit remained popular among project owners and participants. More than 280 investment projects from the Belt and Road region and beyond were presented, covering four main areas: (1) energy, natural resources and public utilities; (2) innovation and technology; (3) urban development; and (4) transportation and logistics infrastructure. The projects focused on areas, such as smart city development, data centres and e-commerce-related investments. Over 800 one-to-one business matching meetings were arranged for project owners, investors and professional service providers to pave the way for collaboration agreements. New project-pitching sessions on the Middle East and emerging markets were also well received.

21 MoUs highlight strong connections with ASEAN
A total of 21 cooperation MoUs were signed, involving government bodies and companies from Hong Kong, Mainland China and ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand. They covered renewable construction resources, sustainable energy, R&D, infrastructure, logistics and more. Among them, MoUs signed with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to strengthen Hong Kong-Middle East ties.

Dedication to nurturing future pillars
The new Youth Chapter invited young business leaders and start-ups to share thei insights on exploring and seizing Belt and Road opportunities. Some 150 recipients of the Belt and Road Scholarship, Youth Development Commission (YDC) Youth Ambassadors, and graduate students from various universities were invited to the Summit. YDC Youth Ambassadors presented a multimedia exhibition on the 10th anniversary of the BRI and provided simultaneous interpretation services for participants in one-on-one project match-making.

The following day, the 6th Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable will take place along with Belt and Road Week, share perspectives on Belt and Road collaborations, exchange the latest information and seize cooperation opportunities.

Photos download: http://bit.ly/3LnjGva

Media enquires
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Louise Song, Tel: +852 3428 5691, Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

• Themed Prospering on a Decade of Collaboration, the event attracts enthusiastic participation from government and business leaders, as well as youth

The eighth edition of the Belt and Road Summit, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), began today and will run for two days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). This year’s Summit is especially significant as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Operating under the theme of Prospering on a Decade of Collaboration, the Summit serves as a vital platform for fostering business and trade. It assembles more than 90 government officials and prominent business leaders from countries and regions along the Belt and Road, as well as other relevant countries and regions. With nearly 6,000 attendees registering from across the globe, the Summit encompasses a range of discussion sessions and activities, including the Opening Session, Policy Dialogue, Keynote Luncheon, Business Plenary, Thematic Breakout Sessions, and Project Investment Sessions.

The Summit aims to review the achievements and experiences of the Belt and Road Initiative and explore opportunities, focusing on promoting high-quality development in areas such as infrastructure, logistics, finance, technology and trade. The Summit also aims to promote arts and culture of the region and demonstrate Hong Kong’s advantage as an important international trade platform for seizing Initiative opportunities.

The Summit invited Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, to deliver a video keynote speech at the opening Ceremony this morning. John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, delivered the opening address, and Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, delivered a welcoming speech. Special addresses were also delivered by Zheng Yanxiong, Deputy Director, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and Director, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Guo Tingting, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China; Guo Ping, Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) of the People’s Republic of China; and Xiao Weiming, Deputy Secretary General, National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China. Keynote speeches were also given by Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration, Kazakhstan; and Rizal Affandi Lukman, Senior and Special Staff to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia.

In his video speech, Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier, State Council of the People’s Republic of China, said: “With its unique advantages, Hong Kong proactively participates in Belt and Road development and continues to strengthen collaborations with partnering countries by utilising its outstanding professional services in the financial, legal and aviation industries. Hong Kong has effectively contributed to the facilitation of cultural exchange and people-to-people bonds. In the process of integrating into national development, Hong Kong has grown better and bigger. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stated that Hong Kong should make use of its advantages to develop closer collaborations with different countries and regions. We support Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and advantages, reinforcing its position as an international financial, transport and logistics, as well as trade centre. We will preserve a free and open business environment, uphold the Common Law system and extend our international network, to reinforce the city’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative.”

John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government, said in his opening address: “Hong Kong is determined to embrace the vast promise of the Belt and Road. The Hong Kong SAR Government is redoubling efforts to serve as the Belt and Road’s functional platform. Under the unique ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong is bestowed with the strong support of our country and long-standing global connections. Hong Kong is an important conduit between Mainland China and the world. We are expanding our co-operation with Belt and Road partners in a wide range of areas. From trade and investment, innovation and technology, to infrastructure development and many more.”

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said in his welcome remarks: “Economies need to rebuild resilience in a post-pandemic era. And this can be done by engaging more with emerging markets, which provide impetus for new growth. It also calls for a greater focus on newer industries, such as innovation and technology as well as sustainability. Hong Kong is the ideal platform to facilitate all of the above. As an international finance and business hub and gateway between Mainland China and the rest of the world, Hong Kong has always been an effective platform to connect countries and regions along the Belt and Road and beyond.”

Expanded policy dialogue to explore new opportunities
This year’s Summit introduced a keynote luncheon session titled Resiliency and Development on Entering a New Era of the Belt and Road Initiative. The session featured welcome remarks by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, opening remarks by Chu Gang, Chief Operating Officer, China International Capital Corporation Limited, and a keynote speech by Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. The session discussed development of the Belt and Road Initiative over the first decade, highlighting achievements, prospects, and market opportunities.

Kao Kim Hourn said: “ASEAN had turned 56 last month and had contributed a great deal to prosperity, stability and security in the region. As a region, it would be the world’s fifth-largest economy and its GDP expanded 5.7% last year, to about US$3.6 trillion. ASEAN was projected to grow 4.9% this year, significantly ahead of the global average, which is expected to be just 3%. As a large exporter, trade relations were very important to ASEAN and all 10 members recently completed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Hong Kong.”

The highly anticipated Policy Dialogue session has been expanded to two sessions. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR, hosted the first session with invited guest speakers Fahd bin Abdulmohsan Al-Rasheed, Advisor in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia; Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, UAE; and Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Arab Republic of Egypt. The session focused on Tapping into the Potential of the Middle East, aiming to explore strategies for businesses entering the Middle East market and strengthening economic, trade, and investment ties between the regions.

Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR, moderated the second session with guest speakers Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary; Nguyen Chi Dzung, Minister of Planning and Investment, Vietnam; and Mohamad bin Haji Alamin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. The session focused on the theme Belt and Road Initiative as a Catalyst for Regional Cooperation and Development and saw ministerial-level officials from various ASEAN and European countries engaging in discussions on collaboration among different economic entities.

The Business Plenary session on the first afternoon, chaired by Antony Leung, Chairman of the Nan Fung Group and Group Chairman and Co-founder of New Frontier Group, focused on the theme Fostering Business Collaboration along the Belt and Road through Hong Kong. Guest speakers for this session included Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group; Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman of Schneider Electric; and Wang Haihuai, Director and General Manager of China Communications Construction Company Ltd. The speakers analyse how Hong Kong can leverage its past experiences to play an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative and create more opportunities for global businesses.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a Cocktail Reception was held on the first night of the Summit. The reception included welcoming remarks, opening remarks and special remarks given by Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC; Sun Yu, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited; and Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government.

Four thematic sessions to discuss hot topics
This year, for the first time, the Ministry of Commerce hosts the Mainland-Hong Kong Services Industry Symposium on the first day of the Summit. The symposium aims to analyse how the service industry can drive economic growth in the mainland. Additionally, on the first day of the Summit, the Department of Justice, China International Contractors Association, and the Insurance Authority partner with the HKTDC to hold Thematic Breakout Sessions on various topics. These include International Legal Cooperation, Opportunities in Hong Kong Infrastructure to Boost High-quality Belt and Road Development, and Hong Kong as an Insurance Service Hub in Asia. Tomorrow, the Summit will collaborate with the Development Bureau, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Financial Services Development Council, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and Cyberport to jointly organise multiple thematic breakout sessions. These sessions will comprehensively promote Hong Kong’s role and contributions in the Belt and Road Initiative.

A total of 17 MoUs signed on day one
On the first day of the Summit, 17 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by companies from Hong Kong, Mainland China, New Zealand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Kazakhstan. The second day will see four more MoU signings, further expanding the scope of cooperation among participating countries and regions.

Middle East Forum: expanding opportunities, building on delegation achievements
In February this year, the HKTDC organised a delegation to the Middle East. Building upon achievements of that delegation, this year’s Summit introduced the Middle East Forum. One session within this segment, Business and Investment Outlook in the Middle East Market, is scheduled for tomorrow. It will be hosted by Ronnie C. Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Limited, and will feature distinguished guests such as Nicolas Aguzin, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Maher Abound, Chief Executive Officer of Ghassan Abound Group; Ahmed Obaid Yousef Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment Development Authority; Hossam Heiba, President of the General Authority for Investment & Free Zones; and Walid Majdalani, Managing Director Corporate Investment for Middle East and North Africa of Investcorp. The session aims to analyse trade and investment prospects of Middle Eastern markets and further strengthen the connection between Hong Kong and Middle Eastern countries.

In addition to the Middle East Forum, this year’s summit introduces the Finance Chapter and Youth Chapter. The Finance Chapter will focus on exploring how Hong Kong can leverage its financial service advantages, while the Youth Chapter will aim to harness the power of young entrepreneurs to contribute to the nation’s needs.

Approximately 150 students including recipients of the Belt and Road Scholarship, Youth Development Commission (YDC) Youth Ambassadors, and graduate students from various tertiary institutions will be invited to participate in the Summit. These participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and activities within the Youth Chapter. Furthermore, the YDC Youth Ambassadors will play a significant role in the Summit. They will introduce the multimedia display commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, showcasing the achievements and progress made over the past decade. The youth ambassadors will also provide simultaneous interpretation services for participants in the one-on-one project matchmaking sessions, facilitating communication and connections among participants from different countries and regions. The YDC Youth Ambassadors will also promote arts and culture of their respective homelands, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation among the countries and regions along the Belt and Road.

Inaugural multimedia display highlights achievements of Hong Kong companies
The Summit will also feature a multimedia display marking a decade of the Initiative, which highlights participation by Hong Kong companies in Belt and Road projects. Additionally, the 6th Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable on 15 September will run in conjunction with the Belt and Road Week, using Hong Kong as a base to share perspectives on the Belt and Road collaborations, exchange the latest information and seize cooperation opportunities.

Extending, optimising deal making
The HKTDC will extend its online and physical deal-making service to seven days (13 to 20 September), expecting to arrange more than 800 one-to-one project-matching sessions covering over 280 investment projects this year. The deal-making service includes one-to-one business matching meetings and project investment sessions. Business matching meetings will connect participants based on investment preferences and business expertise to facilitate one-to-one discussions on collaboration opportunities. Project investment sessions will provide a platform for project owners from different countries to present projects, giving investors and service intermediaries a comprehensive understanding of investment opportunities in different sectors. Project investment sessions will focus on four main areas: (1) energy, natural resources and public utilities, (2) innovation and technology, (3) urban development, and (4) transport and logistics infrastructure. New this year will be project-pitching sessions on the Middle East and emerging markets.

This year’s Summit brings together more than 100 exhibitors from the Global Investment Zone, Hong Kong Zone and RCEP Tech Zone. The Global Investment Zone will showcase large-scale investment projects and opportunities from different countries to attract international investors and partners; the Hong Kong Zone will demonstrate excellent services and business advantages the city’s enterprises offer; while the RCEP Tech Zone will feature high-end innovative technologies, artificial intelligence, digital technologies and solutions offered by exhibitors from the region. These three exhibition zones will also present project collaboration opportunities from various markets in the Middle East and emerging economies.

China International Capital Corporation Ltd serves as the Strategic Partner of the eighth Belt and Road Summit; Bank of China (Hong Kong) Ltd as the Banking Partner; The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited as the Global Connectivity Partner; Standard Chartered as Diamond Sponsor; Huatai International Financial Holdings Company Limited as Sapphire Sponsor and China Mobile International Limited, China Unicom Global Limited and China Telecom Global Limited as Platinum Sponsors.

The Eighth Belt and Road Summit
Date: 13 to 14 September 2023 (Wednesday to Thursday)
Venue: Hall 5B-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
Websites: Belt and Road Summit: https://www.beltandroadsummit.hk/conference/bnr/en
Programme: https://www.beltandroadsummit.hk/conference/bnr/en/programme
Speaker list: https://www.beltandroadsummit.hk/conference/bnr/en/speaker
Photos Download: https://bit.ly/3r54cVZ

Media enquires
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Louise Song, Tel: +852 3428 5691, Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC survey reveals why companies ‘go out’ to the Belt and Road and RCEP via Hong Kong

Some 90% of Mainland China-based companies planned to expand their level of international business activity in the next one to three years, in line with the national drive to “go global”. This commitment was highlighted in Hong Kong as the Premier Platform for Mainland Companies to Expand to BRI and RCEP Markets, a major survey released today (5 September 2023) by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

More than 70% of these firms focused on countries that were Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) signatories or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) beneficiaries. Tellingly, the findings also showed that more than 60% of mainland enterprises preferred engaging Hong Kong-based professional service providers to ensure successful international expansion.

Commenting on the survey findings, Irina Fan, Director of HKTDC Research, said: “This survey more than confirms Hong Kong’s status as a ‘super-connector’, one uniquely well-positioned to help mainland companies make good on their global expansion plans. Within the shifting global economic landscape, Hong Kong’s well-established business platform remains a preeminent resource. The city’s extensive array of premium financial and professional services and comprehensive international network make it the perfect partner for any business looking to optimise its outcomes within the RCEP region, along the BRI routes or, indeed, pretty much anywhere else in the world.”

Expanding on the survey’s findings, Wing Chu, Principal Economist with HKTDC Research, identified four key areas in which mainland businesses planned to expand overseas operations. Mr Chu, who heads the Greater China Research Team and had overall responsibility for the survey, said: “The four priority expansion areas appear to be logistics and transport, as singled out by 28.8% of respondents, marketing and sales (26.9%), factories (23.3%) and overseas procurement (15.9%).

“Drilling down into the findings, the survey also shows that 62.1% of expansion-minded mainland companies favour Hong Kong as a source of professional-service support, while only 47.7% would opt for mainland service providers. In more specific terms, most Greater Bay Area-based businesses designated Hong Kong as their preferred service provider locale, while their Yangtze River Delta counterparts divided their needs more or less evenly across Hong Kong and Shanghai.”

Responding to another finding, which showed 83.9% of survey participants were driven to expand internationally by concerns over long-term viability of their traditional markets, Ms Fan said: “Geopolitical tensions, falling demand and economic uncertainties have all reduced confidence in many of the traditional overseas markets. As a result, 71.6% of expansion-oriented mainland businesses are targeting one or more of the 14 overseas RCEP member nations, while 64.3% expressed interest in venturing into the emerging markets along the routes of the BRI and beyond, including those located in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, South America or Africa.”

Survey methodology and remit
Between May and July this year, HKTDC Research surveyed 791 mainland enterprises operating primarily in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Yangtze River Delta region. The survey had two primary objectives – improve understanding of the overseas expansion plans of participating businesses and build up a clearer picture of diverse challenges they face.

To gain a wider perspective, HKTDC Research also conducted in-depth interviews with recognised experts in many of Hong Kong’s professional service industries, including representatives of the legal and financial sectors. The consensus was that the many areas in which Hong Kong could boost outward-bound mainland businesses included negotiating with overseas partners; overseeing legal, investment and general business arrangements; financing arrangements, providing project valuations and meeting due-diligence obligations, as well as assisting with tax planning, risk management and compliance with overseas regulatory requirements. It was also noted that Hong Kong offered exemplary international and regional logistics services and possessed unrivalled expertise when it came to ensuring products / services complied with a wide range of overseas standards and legal obligations.

The Eighth Belt and Road Summit
To fully capitalise on the many emerging BRI opportunities and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the programme, the eighth edition of the Belt and Road Summit, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKTDC will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 13 and 14 September (Wednesday and Thursday) The Summit fully aligns with the objectives of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, which emphasises the key roles Hong Kong and Macao are set to play in the ongoing rollout of this vast infrastructure development and trade facilitation programme.

The Belt and Road Summit will assemble more than 80 key officials and business leaders from many of the countries and regions along the BRI routes, as well as investors, project stakeholders, operators and service providers from around the world. Together, they will provide an overview of the programme’s landmark achievements throughout the past decade and detail many related future investment and business opportunities, while showcasing the unique benefits of the Hong Kong platform.

References
– HKTDC Research Portal: https://research.hktdc.com/en/
– Hong Kong as the Premier Platform for Mainland Companies to Expand to the BRI and RCEP Markets [Only Chinese versions are available]: https://research.hktdc.com/tc/article/MTQ3MTQ1NjU4OA
– Photo Download: https://bit.ly/47XHeAz

The Eighth Belt and Road Summit
Date: 13 and 14 September 2023 (Wednesday and Thursday)
Venue: Hall 5B-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
Remarks: Video and audio recordings at the forum should be used only in the context of media reporting
Media Registration: Please contact awong@yuantung.com.hk or ayiu@yuantung.com.hk for media registration
Websites:
– Belt and Road Summit: https://www.beltandroadSummit.hk/conference/bnr/en
– Programme: https://www.beltandroadSummit.hk/conference/bnr/en/programme
– Speaker list: https://www.beltandroadSummit.hk/conference/bnr/en/speaker

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Louise Song, Tel: +852 3428 5691, Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org