Global financial leaders will descend on Hong Kong this week for the 16th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) following the city’s axe of most of its Covid restrictions.

Organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), AFF takes place on 11 and 12 January.

It’s the first large-scale business exchange event of 2023 attracting 17 business delegations, with more than 200 global representatives.

Keynote speakers include Ban Ki-moon, eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; and Christina Figueres, co-founder of Global Optimism and former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), AFF 2023 has the theme ‘Accelerating Transformation: Impact ∙ Inclusion ∙ Innovation’. It will put a spotlight on the current state of the global economy as well as explore major issues via more than 40 panel discussions and workshops.

Back to business

“With the resumption of quarantine-free travel between the mainland and Hong Kong and the lifting of international travel restrictions in Hong Kong, we are pleased to see huge interest to join AFF, including attending in-person in Hong Kong,” said Dr Patrick Lau, deputy executive director at HKTDC.

Mary Huen, chairperson of the AFF Steering Committee and Cluster CEO, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, at Standard Chartered, also added: “For Hong Kong, 2023 will be a year of recovery and the return to normalcy.

“The imminent and orderly resumption of travel with the Mainland will help stimulate our economy, improve market sentiment, and consolidate Hong Kong’s role as a super connector – bridging the Mainland and the international market.

“We are glad that this year’s Asian Financial Forum will see global leaders gathering here physically to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the financial industry, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.”

Exhibition zones include the Fintech Showcase, the InnoVenture Salon, FintechHK Startup Salon and the Global Investment Zone.

More than 120 local and international financial institutions, tech companies, startups, investment agencies and sponsors – including PwC, Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of China, HSBC, UBS, China International Capital Corporation, Huatai International, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited – will also gather at the Forum.

AFF follows the reopening of the Hong Kong-Mainland China border. The city – a special administrative region of China – has also resumed quarantine-free travel for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Overseas guests can also enjoy travel experiences, food and accommodation discounts and other opportunities.