HK can assist green push within the Belt and Road: CE

Chief Executive John Lee announced on Monday that Hong Kong could play a significant role in supporting the green initiatives within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Speaking at the inaugural Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in the city, Lee emphasized Hong Kong's potential to foster connections among BRI economies and leverage their strengths to promote green technologies and sustainable businesses.

Highlighting Hong Kong's status as a leading green and sustainable finance hub, Lee pointed to an example where a solar energy project could bring together solar panel equipment suppliers from the Chinese mainland, a Southeast Asian developer, and Middle Eastern investors. He explained that Hong Kong could facilitate these partners by helping them secure financing, structuring their investments, arranging insurance, and managing cross-border risks.

Lee further elaborated that Hong Kong's contribution goes beyond merely matching capital with projects. The city's professional services ensure that projects are bankable and insurable, which is crucial for attracting global investors. He also noted that Hong Kong can bridge green technologies with markets that require them, thus playing a pivotal role in connecting the dots between green innovations and their market demands.

In the coming year, Hong Kong plans to launch a Green Technology Bridgehead Programme aimed at helping mainland and overseas green enterprises disseminate their ideas and solutions to Belt and Road markets. Lee assured that the city could assist BRI partners by providing financing, project management, and risk management services for green infrastructure and sustainable development projects.