The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, yesterday (January 23, Davos time) led the TeamHK delegation to attend the Hong Kong Night in Davos, Switzerland, to promote Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages to high-powered guests from different parts of the world. She also attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders and met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and leaders of different sectors.
The Hong Kong Night, a flagship event of the TeamHK delegation to promote the city in Davos, was co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and various Hong Kong organisations and enterprises including the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the MTR Corporation Limited, Swire Pacific and Far East Consortium International. Under the leadership of Mrs Lam, the TeamHK, which was the largest and most high-level Hong Kong delegation to attend the WEF in more than 20 years, attended the event. The Founder and Executive Chairman of the WEF, Professor Klaus Schwab, also addressed the event. Other participants included about 200 global political, business and media leaders. Mrs Lam, during a Q&A session, emphasised that the HKSAR Government will safeguard Hong Kong’s fundamentals, including the rule of law, despite that the city has undergone a difficult period. She said she is fully confident of the city’s future. The event also included three panel discussions, with topics covering the global capital market, trade and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, during which relevant experts shared their insights on Hong Kong’s future development opportunities.
During the day, Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte. Mrs Lam said she was pleased to note that the regulators of the two places signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual recognition of funds arrangement last year and pointed out that she looks forward to enhancing co-operation in financial services and others areas such as design and arts and culture.
Mrs Lam was invited to attend the lunch of the WEF Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders, where leaders of various economies and international organisations shared their views on bringing about a cohesive and sustainable world. Topics discussed included ways to strike a balance between the demand for national sovereignty and the need for global collective action with a view to tackling together such issues as economic downturn, climate change, poverty and transmission of infectious diseases.
In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance of Switzerland, Mr Ueli Maurer. She said that since their witnessing of the signing of the three MOUs between Hong Kong and Switzerland two years ago to strengthen collaboration in financial markets, fintech and promotion of private wealth management, there has been steady progress in co-operation between the two financial centres. She added that in light of the rapidly evolving global financial landscape, they can step up collaboration to seize the opportunities arising from Mainland China’s opening up as well as the development of fintech and green finance.
In addition, Mrs Lam met with Professor Schwab in the afternoon and thanked him for supporting Hong Kong’s active participation in the WEF. Other leaders she met yesterday included the Executive Chairman of Investcorp, Mr Mohammed Alardhi; the Group Chairman of Standard Chartered, Mr José Viñals; and the Chairman of the Asia Pacific Initiative, Mr Yoichi Funabashi. Mrs Lam also attended a speaking session organised by the Young Presidents’ Organization, where she shared her views with the young entrepreneurs from all over the world on issues such as “One Country, Two Systems”, building an inclusive society, promoting economic growth and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She gave an interview to an international media organisation in the afternoon.
Mrs Lam concluded her three-day visit to Davos yesterday. She said that the packed schedule included opportunities to speak at various WEF events and activities held by other organisations, as well as bilateral meetings with more than 10 political and business leaders and senior members of the media, in which she gave updates on Hong Kong’s situation. She said she was deeply encouraged to note that all the people she met had a very positive attitude towards Hong Kong and were pleased to continue to enhance their connections with the city in all relevant aspects. She added that the HKSAR Government will continue to step up external publicity and promotional work.
Mrs Lam will depart Davos today morning (January 24, Davos time) and will return to Hong Kong in the morning on January 25.
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