Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Singapore, in association with The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) organized an Online Webinar on “Hong Kong’s Financial Story for Asia and the World” on 15th June 2021. 

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Singapore is a representative office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) in India and three ASEAN countries, namely Laos, Singapore and Vietnam. Their office is responsible for fostering the bilateral relations between Hong Kong and these four countries, including investment promotion, enhancing people’s ties and exchanges. 

With the largest youth population in the world and growing middle class, the Indian market presents enormous potential for the world, including Hong Kong. Hong Kong – an international financial centre enjoying competitive edges in a wide range of financial services – will complement with Indian companies’ strategies to expand overseas and go international. 

Targeting at business leaders and senior representatives from companies in India that are looking for business expansion and internationalisation, the webinar comprised two parts, first a Keynote Address by Mr. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSARG and followed by a Panel Discussion by Mr. Rashesh Shah, Chairman of Edelweiss Group and Mr. Rohit Gupta, Chief Executive of ICICI Bank Hong Kong who are the key players working with/in the financial services sector in India. The session was moderated by Mr. Stephen Phillips, Director-General of Investment Promotion of the HKSARG. 

Mr. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSARG shared despite COVID19 Hong Kong’s GDP growth has been 7.9%. He also focused on why Hong Kong is an important part of their institutions’ business strategy in providing financial services in the region; how Hong Kong’s institutional strengths, financial infrastructures, and market opportunities have benefitted their business operations and growth. Hong Kong also focused on Green and Sustainable Finance. The roadmap for Hong Kong’s financial sector is to promote diversified development. 

Mr. Rashesh Shah, Chairman of Edelweiss Group mentioned Hong Kong is an important financial hub and plays an instrumental role for maintaining the bilateral economic relations between India and Hong Kong.

Mr. Rohit Gupta, Chief Executive of ICICI Bank Hong Kong also mentioned that Hong Kong is the financial gateway for multiple corridors of North Asian countries where there is availability of immense market opportunities and talent pool.