This year’s Belt and Road Summit – a key platform for Hong Kong to promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – is bringing together more than 80 officials and business leaders to discuss collaboration opportunities in BRI markets.
The Summit, which is taking place on 11-12 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, is organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
The Business Plenary on the first day – featuring Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas business leaders – will look at Hong Kong’s role in facilitating cooperation as well as how companies are responding to the current global landscape.
The second day’s Business Plenary will explore opportunities in the Middle East and other Belt and Road markets, another key topic for this year’s event.
“The Belt and Road Summit will deepen international business cooperation and consolidate Hong Kong's position as the preferred business platform for the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development for the Hong Kong SAR Government.
As China looks for ways to drive more collaboration between Belt and Road markets, Hong Kong can play an even more active role as a global hub for investment, trade and innovation, Mr Yau explained.
Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, highlighted the business support that HKTDC provides to foster closer cooperation, including business delegations and outreach activities to Belt and Road countries and regions.
The main theme for this year’s Summit is Building a Connected, Innovative and Green Belt and Road.
This year’s event is also introducing a Green Chapter, reflecting its focus on sustainability, with thematic sessions on green construction, innovation, finance and more.
Sessions that are part of the Finance Chapter will analyse opportunities to leverage Hong Kong's financial services, while the Youth Chapter will host young business leaders who will share their views on BRI opportunities.
This year’s Summit will also feature two new thematic sessions, on multi-dimensional connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
Investment and business matching services remain an integral part of the Summit. Business matching meetings will run on-site on 11-12 September and online on 16-17 September.
Organisers expect to match more than 280 investment projects, with more than 800 one-to-one project matching meetings already lined up.
Project investment sessions will focus on four main areas: energy, natural resources and public utilities; innovation and technology; urban development; and transport and logistics infrastructure.
The Summit’s exhibition will gather over 100 exhibitors across three zones.
A Hong Kong Zone will showcase Hong Kong service providers. A Global Investment Zone will present large-scale investment projects and opportunities as well as major cultural and technological developments. An InnoTech Zone will feature cutting-edge innovations and solutions from exhibitors around the globe.
