The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), jointly organized by the Hong Kong SAR Government and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully after drawing over 4,000 political and business leaders from more than 60 countries and regions. The forum, which featured over 150 speakers across various sessions, also marked the launch of the inaugural Global Business Summit, designed to further integrate finance with key industries to drive innovation and economic development. This development is significant as it underscores Hong Kong's evolving role as a financial superconnector at a time of global economic uncertainty and technological competition.
Dr. Jose Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, highlighted the current technological race and geopolitical risks during a keynote luncheon, noting that global corporate leaders are seeking favorable positioning. This context makes forums like the AFF crucial for fostering dialogue and collaboration. Concurrently, Dr. Zhu Min discussed the opportunities renminbi internationalization presents for Hong Kong, emphasizing the city's ideal position to provide necessary liquidity and bond market services amid competition among major global currencies. The forum also saw the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau sign a cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange, strengthening Hong Kong's framework as an international gold trading hub, a move that enhances market connectivity and infrastructure development.
The newly launched Global Business Summit, co-organized by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), focused on financial empowerment for industries. Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, stated that financial services help maximize investments and impact, supporting technological breakthroughs and sustainable development. He described Hong Kong, under the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement, as a superconnector and supercollaborator, facilitating cross-sector collaboration and serving as a gateway between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. A pledging ceremony demonstrated commitment from AFF partners, including major financial institutions like HSBC and Standard Chartered, to assist Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global via Hong Kong.
Business plenary sessions delved into global expansion strategies for Chinese Mainland enterprises and opportunities for international companies entering the Chinese market. Mohammed Alardhi of Investcorp highlighted the importance of the China-Gulf Cooperation Council corridor, noting significant appetite in the Gulf region to partner with Chinese companies due to favorable valuations. The summit also featured discussions on high-growth sectors like biomedicine, green energy, and artificial intelligence, where speakers from companies such as Amgen and Merck emphasized the need for diversified financing channels to accelerate technological translation. In AI-focused sessions, leaders from JD.com and Tencent explored how AI-driven robotics can transform industries like healthcare and manufacturing, creating new investment opportunities.
Real-time polling at the AFF revealed that over 70% of attendees were neutral to optimistic about the global economic outlook for the year, with 51.2% prioritizing the development of artificial intelligence and AI-driven applications. The forum facilitated substantive deal-making, with AFF Deal-making attracting over 280 investors and 600 investment projects, resulting in more than 800 one-on-one meetings. Project Investment Sessions highlighted key Hong Kong initiatives like the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, showcasing the city's long-term plans for regional connectivity and innovation-driven development. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding between Hong Kong's Techvalue International and Australia's Gryph Holdings, facilitated by the HKTDC Sydney Office, demonstrated Hong Kong's role in enabling cross-border food-tech innovation.
Thematic zones at the AFF, including the FutureGreen Showcase and FintechHK Start-up Salon, brought together around 150 exhibitors to highlight opportunities in green finance, fintech, and sustainable development. The event also featured roundtable meetings, such as the Hong Kong International Fundraising Roundtable 2026, focusing on meeting financing needs across industries. As part of International Financial Week 2026, the AFF and its associated events underscore Hong Kong's position as a comprehensive international financial centre, capable of addressing global challenges through collaboration and financial innovation. The implications of this forum are far-reaching, as it not only reinforces Hong Kong's strategic importance in global finance but also sets the stage for increased cross-border investment and technological advancement in an increasingly complex economic landscape.
