More than 350 business leaders from 29 countries and regions are attending the , which opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday. Key topics at the forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, include start-ups, e-tailing and business opportunities on the Chinese mainland.
Participants come from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK, the US and Vietnam.
HKTDC executive director Margaret Fong yesterday told the forum this was a year of changes.
“China has put forward the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Initiative,” she said.
“The Bay Area will be a world-class city cluster with international competitiveness. It will propel Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development, which will make it a leading economic growth engine.”
Fong said a new free-trade agreement signed between Hong Kong and ASEAN will further promote Hong Kong’s trade.
Challenges, opportunities
At the first seminar, the challenges and opportunities for young entrepreneurs were discussed by Cherrypicks CEO Jason Chiu, Vitargent (International) Biotechnology founder/CCO Eric Chen, and Casetify CEO/co-founder Wesley Ng.
Another seminar examined how mainland companies can draw on Hong Kong’s professional services to capture market opportunities. The speakers were China Everbright International GM Wang Tian Yi and China Mobile International director/executive VP Shen Weizhong.
Today’s program includes the Luncheon Dialogue with Dreamcatchers, featuring Dorsett Hospitality International president/executive director Winnie Chiu and Lawsgroup president/executive director Bosco Law.
As keynote speaker, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam introduces Hong Kong’s latest developments and business policies.
Concurrent events
Also today is the inaugural Asian E-tailing Summit with speakers including Hong Kong Suning Commerce GM Dai Feng Jun, Kilimall International founder/CEO Yang Tao, Zalora MD Giulio Xiloyannis and Fung Global Retail and Technology senior analyst Kiril Popov.
Other concurrent events are the HKTDC Hong Kong International Franchising Show, the Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, DesignInspire and the Smart Biz Expo.
Exhibition categories for the Smart Biz Expo include 3D printing; advanced energy storage; applied AI and machine learning; AR/VR; automation; biotech and genomics; e-commerce and digital applications; design services; fintech and blockchain; industrial parks and investment projects; innovative and technology start-ups; IoT and smart-office technology; IT and security systems; PR, branding and marketing; quality control and testing services; and robotics, drones and autonomous vehicles.
Meanwhile, HKTDC director of Belt Road and external relations Iris Wong is leading a business delegation to Chongqing to survey the city’s investment environment and development prospects. The delegation includes nearly 40 representatives from chambers of commerce from Belt Road countries as well as from Australia, Canada, Europe and the US.
