Basking in the glow of the recently concluded Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and Hong Kong FinTech Week – as well as the buzzing Hong Kong Sevens – our city kicked off November in the global spotlight.

The optimism was palpable during the investment summit organized by the HKMA in the first week of November. To quote Chief Executive John Lee in his opening remarks: “We were, we are and we will remain one of the world’s leading financial centres. And you can take that to the bank.” In fact, an oft-heard statement during the course of the three-day event was that it is business as usual in Hong Kong. 

Despite the social restrictions and “0+3” quarantine arrangements in place, 250 executives from 120 international companies flew into the city. Even Typhoon Nalgae couldn’t dampen spirits or disrupt the packed schedule of events. Heavyweights from the world’s foremost banks, investment companies and funds met behind closed doors on the first day, and attended an exclusive gala dinner at the M+ museum of contemporary art. C-suite speakers took part in panel discussions on topics ranging from ESG to uncertainty in markets and sustainable finance. 

With international players endorsing Hong Kong’s position as an important hub in North Asia, thanks to our geographical and cultural connections to the Mainland and Greater Bay Area, connectivity was the underlying theme of the summit. Connectivity defines Hong Kong in its role as an international financial centre, and in a world still reeling from the economic and social fall-out of the coronavirus pandemic, we need it more than ever. 

Hong Kong FinTech Week was the other big flagship event signalling that the city was open for business, even as rival Singapore held its FinTech Festival around the same time. The numbers indicate Hong Kong’s longstanding reputation as a trusted financial centre: Hong Kong’s iteration drew nearly 20,000 participants, with over 500 companies – banks, start-ups and tech multinationals – invited to the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. A series of virtual events were also held.

Off business, the city hosted one of the most popular and exciting sporting events in Asia, the Hong Kong Sevens. Crowds thronged to the stadium – including many participants of the financial forums – to enjoy this thrilling rugby tournament. 

With financial powerhouses extremely bullish about Hong Kong’s future, and businesses eager to seamlessly reconnect with the world – not to mention overseas companies and talent hoping to come to Hong Kong – it is time for the Government to lift all restrictions so that the economy can flourish.

Betty Yuen
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