The Chamber’s headquarters here in Admiralty has been unusually quiet throughout much of this year, as we have had to convert our busy programme of physical events into online webinars due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
When social-distancing measures were relaxed, we gradually started to hold in-person committee meetings, welcomed visitors and organized some smaller scale seminars and roundtables. Last month, we also organized a site visit with a group of YEC members to ICAC’s Headquarters.
Unfortunately, with the “fourth wave” of infections now confirmed, we have had to stop such face-to-face meetings. We remain on high alert, as the situation is changing constantly.
However, the promising news on vaccines means that we hopefully will be able to get back to our full calendar of events for next year, without fear of Covid-19 infections.
All being well, at some point in 2021, we will see the return to more physical events. Next year is a landmark year for HKGCC, as we will celebrate our 160th anniversary in May. This is quite an achievement: your Chamber is among the oldest organizations in the city, and we are looking forward to celebrating this momentous occasion along with all our members through a number of exciting events and activities to be organized during the year.
I’m also looking forward to our biennial Business Summit. I attended many of the Chamber’s previous Business Summits as a member, but this will be my first as CEO, and we are working hard to develop a very interesting and timely programme.
The global business environment is evolving rapidly, which is raising questions about what role Hong Kong will play in the future. At the Business Summit we will consider how we can keep our crown as a world-class business hub amid growing competition and external uncertainty. These are very interesting times for Hong Kong, with challenges ahead as well as opportunities, so I’m looking forward to hearing what our expert speakers think.
Moreover, as an international business and financial hub, we are influenced by events taking place globally. At the start of 2021, Brexit will finally be a reality, so we are planning a series of events to help members understand how this will impact their business. Also in January, the United States will see its 46th president take over the reins of the world’s largest economy, and we will be organizing a series of events to help members prepare for possible policy changes, and hopefully warmer U.S.-China trade and economic ties.
If the last year has taught us anything, it is that nothing is certain. We remain optimistic, however, that we will be able to meet many of you in person once again during the year to come, which will hopefully bring much brighter prospects for all Hong Kong businesses.
George Leung
ceo@chamber.org.hk