September 21st, 「Think Asia, Think Hong Kong」summit organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, HKTDC was held in Los Angeles. Mr Edward Yau Tang-wah, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, convener of non official members of the Executive Council (ExCo), Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr. George LAM, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited attended the summit. Calvin Choi, AMTD Chairman and President, was also specially invited to the summit to share ideas with investment institutions from North America and Partners on future development in Hong Kong. AMTD International (NYSE: HKIB), a subsidiary of AMTD Group, Asia’s largest independent investment bank, was officially landed on the New York Stock Exchange, and became the first Hong Kong financial institution, as well as the biggest independent investment bank in Asia listed on NYSE in August 2019.
During the 「Think Asia, Think Hong Kong」summit in LA, Calvin Choi, AMTD Chairman and President, as a special guest of the 「Think Finance, Think Hong Kong」forum, together with Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, convener of non official members of the Executive Council (ExCo), Romnesh Lamba, Co-President of HKSE, Bonnie Chan, Board Member of HK Financial Services Development council, and Christopher Hui, Executive Director of HK Financial Services Development Council had a panel discussion onthe unique advantage of Hong Kong and bright prospect of Hong Kong’s financial development.
As a comprehensive diversified financial institution rooted in Hong Kong, the first listed Hong Kong financial institution in NYSE and the largest independent investment bank in Asia, the growth story of AMTD represents the epitome of Hong Kong’s transformation from a traditional financial center into an international fintech innovation center. Calvin pointed out that Hong Kong has always been an international financial center and a “super-connector” between China and rest of world. It has a unique advantage and status. China’s economic development and increasing international influence have promoted the construction of Hong Kong’s international financial center and international science and technology innovation center. “One Belt and One Road” and “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” strategies have brought new opportunities to Hong Kong and are important drivers for Hong Kong’s economic growth in the future. AMTD looks forward to the growth opportunities in Greater Bay Area, and hopes to help more Chinese enterprises to go global by leveraging international capital markets in technology innovation.
Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, convener of non official members of the Executive Council (ExCo),pointed out that the rapid growth of China’s economy from 40 years of reform and opening up has brought plenty of opportunities to Hong Kong. And Hong Kong has played a very important role in connecting China to the rest of world, especially in fields of asset management, risk management, RMB internationalization and connecting ASEAN markets. Under the policy of “One country, two systems” and the outline of development plan for Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong will have a brighter future.
Romnesh Lamba, Co-President of HKSE firstly talked about the development of the Hong Kong Security Exchange over the past few years, in particular, after the proposed new rules to broaden Hong Kong’s listing regime effective on 30 April 2018 and the great progress has been made in promoting the interconnectivity of the capital markets. HKSE will keep promoting financial innovation in Hong Kong and reinforcing Hong Kong as a leading international financial center.
Bonnie Chan, Board Member of HK Financial Services Development council and Partner of Davis Polk & Wardwell, shared her decades of experience in the industry, especially about the success in connecting innovative technology enterprise with global capital markets. She also pointed out that the capital markets in Hong Kong is more well-established in regulations and legislations compared to other capital markets around the world. Thus, Hong Kong financial markets has drawn great attention around the world and will attract more and more international companies to come to Hong Kong and China.
Christopher Hui, Executive Director of HK Financial Services Development Council emphasized that the HK Financial Services Development Council has put great efforts on promoting innovation in financial industry. In the meantime he also pointed out that the development in the Greater Bay Area will help Hong Kong to further build international financial center, international asset management and risk management center. Hong Kong welcomes global enterprises to come to Hong Kong, invest in Hong Kong, and participate in Hong Kong’s financial innovation and development.
