​The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, arrived in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday morning (January 20, Davos time) to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025.
Upon arrival, Mr Chan had lunch with several leaders from the finance and business sectors attending the Annual Meeting. He promoted Hong Kong's advantages and value as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to them. The guests included representatives from large-scale financial, transportation, industrial and technology enterprises from Europe, America, the Middle East and Japan. During the lunch meeting, Mr Chan briefed the guests on Hong Kong's latest economic and social developments, particularly the positive progress made in the local financial market last year, and the achievements in attracting businesses and talent. He emphasised Hong Kong's strategies and measures for developments in finance, innovation and technology, trade and aviation, as well as how to create opportunities for businesses and talent worldwide.
Thereafter, Mr Chan met with the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, to discuss strengthening bilateral trade co-operation. He expressed his gratitude for Mr Albudaiwi's visit to Hong Kong to attend the 18th Asian Financial Forum (AFF). Both parties agreed that the new session "Gulf Cooperation Council Chapter" at the AFF marked a milestone in advancing financial services co-operation between Hong Kong and the Gulf states. Mr Chan also expressed hope for accelerating the signing of a free trade agreement between Hong Kong and the GCC, and noted that the HKSAR Government will actively promote more two-way visits of business delegations, thereby facilitating the matching of projects in the digital economy and green transformation, as well as co-operation in the securities markets, Islamic finance, and asset and wealth management between Hong Kong and the Arab States.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with Mr Martin Gilbert, the Chair of Revolut, a UK-based fintech company specialising in digital banking services, to learn about the latest developments in their digital banking operations, cryptocurrency trading and security risk management for digital banking services. Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong has a vibrant fintech ecosystem, and is the best entry point into the Chinese Mainland market. He welcomed Revolut to expand its business in Hong Kong to tap into the Mainland and Southeast Asian markets.
In the evening, Mr Chan attended the welcome reception hosted by the WEF. He will continue his trip in Davos today (January 21, Davos time), including attending the Special Address by Vice Premier of the State Council Mr Ding Xuexiang.
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