HKTDC’s Belt and Road Summit drives momentum
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] The 11th Belt and Road Summit, which took place in Wan Chai on 9-10 September, brought together more than 6,200 top officials, business leaders and senior professionals from 70-plus B&R countries and regions to explore opportunities for further cooperation and partnerships. Co-organised by the HKSAR Government and the…
The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held in Wan Chai from September 9-10, 2022, gathered over 6,200 high-ranking officials, business leaders, and professionals from more than 70 countries and regions. Co-organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the summit aimed to foster cross-regional trade and industry collaboration and accelerate new initiatives. The summit's theme was "Advancing High-Quality Development‧Embarking on a New Journey."
The summit showcased over 300 investment projects, arranged more than 800 meetings, and signed more than 60 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and other agreements. The sectors involved were diverse, including finance, professional services, manufacturing, and construction. The presence of organizations from ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East highlighted Hong Kong's appeal as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder."
Keynote addresses, plenary sessions, and panel discussions allowed participants to share expertise on policy issues, risk management, and opportunities for enterprises expanding into international markets. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized the importance of proactive regional exchanges and expanding Hong Kong's network of friends along the Belt and Road. Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of HKTDC, stressed the necessity of diversification for enterprises to seize opportunities and accept new challenges.
Uzbekistan's Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, and Uruguay's Vice President, Carolina Cosse, emphasized the potential in trade, transport, industry, technology, capital investment, and human resources offered by reviving the ancient Silk Road in a modern format. Both countries highlighted their commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative and their desire to work with Hong Kong and other partners in Asia.
The summit featured thematic zones focusing on Hong Kong's support for enterprises in different sectors, such as GoGlobal Connect Zone for professional services expertise and Central Asia Zone showcasing investment opportunities. The Middle East Zone provided insights into potential business and investment in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Saleumxay Kommasith, highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative's impact on Laos, including the opening of the Laos-China Railway in 2021, which has since transported over 90 million metric tonnes of freight.
Written by urgent.news from SCMP Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
