Hong Kong will host the eighth Belt and Road Summit next week on 13-14 September, to reflect on the first decade of the Belt and Road Initiative and discuss future business and investment collaboration focused on emerging markets and new sectors, while showcasing Hong Kong’s unique advantages to the global community.
The event jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), brings together some 80 government officials and business leaders from countries and regions along the Belt and Road as well as project owners, investors and service providers from around the world.
Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR, said: “Hong Kong’s internationalisation, exceptional professional services and talented workforce have always played a critical role in connecting the global community. Leveraging our strengths in finance, risk management, accounting and taxation, architecture and engineering, legal services and commercial arbitration, construction management, logistics and more, Hong Kong actively contributes to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and endeavours to meet Mainland China’s evolving needs.”
Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said: “Since its inception in 2016, the Belt and Road Summit has evolved into a preeminent global business platform for discussing opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and fostering substantial cooperation. The Summit has consistently garnered high-level support from the mainland. This year, we anticipate the participation of over 5,000 distinguished guests for fruitful exchanges.”
Over the past decade, more than 150 countries and regions and 32 international organisations have signed more than 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents, covering markets accounting for 40% of global GDP and 45% of world merchandise trade.
Hong Kong has been an active participant and contributor, helping international companies expand in Belt and Road countries and regions, fostering deeper exchanges and cooperation between nations and promoting high-quality economic growth.
This year’s Summit will feature a policy dialogue session that will explore effective ways for Hong Kong and international companies to access Middle Eastern markets, fostering collaborative advantages, reciprocal benefits and collective development. Speakers will include Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt and Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates.
The second session, Belt and Road Initiative as a Catalyst for Regional Cooperation and Development, will focus on market integration and connectivity among economies, featuring high-ranking officials from ASEAN and Europe, including Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
The Middle East Forum debuts at this year’s Summit, focusing on opportunities, developments and collaboration the Middle East presents. Countries in the region are key Belt and Road partners and their relationship with Hong Kong is going from strength to strength.
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Sessions on finance will delve into Hong Kong’s superior financial services, innovative technologies and sustainable-development vision, exploring how they can contribute to the Initiative and countries and regions along the Belt and Road.
Furthermore, young business leaders and start-ups will share insights on discovering and seizing opportunities.
