Paul Krugman Among Some 100 Prominent Speakers
Hong Kong, Jan 13, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - More than 2,400 global leaders in government, finance and business are set to join next week's Asian Financial Forum (AFF) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The eighth edition of the AFF, organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will take place on 19-20 January.
Speaking at today's press conference, Anita Fung, Chairperson of the AFF Steering Committee and Group General Manager and CEO Hong Kong of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, said this year's theme of "Asia: Sustainable Development in a World of Change" was especially relevant to the current economic climate. "This year's theme reflects on the economic crossroads that we find ourselves at today," Ms Fung said. "Growth in China and Asia is slowing; recovery in the Eurozone remains sluggish; the US has shown signs of renewed vigour but is still vulnerable. With the world's major economies embracing reforms and innovation as keys to sustainable development, the AFF will be the perfect opportunity to start the dialogue on enhancing international financial infrastructures and its implications for growth."
Bonanza of Insights
HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Raymond Yip introduced the AFF, noting that "some 100 financial and corporate heavyweights will be featured at AFF 2015. Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Paul Krugman of Princeton University will share his insights on global growth prospects amid divergent monetary policies." Also, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Economic Counsellor and Director, Research Department, Olivier Blanchard, will survey the current economic climate and examine ways to invigorate the recovery through stronger inter-regional trade and investment ties. Attending today's press conference, Shaun Roache, IMF Resident Representative in the HKSAR, said: "Despite setbacks, an uneven global recovery is continuing and we should see growth picking up in 2015. At the same time, the recovery faces risks, including from a worsening of geopolitical tensions and, over the medium term, stagnation and low potential growth in advanced economies. Asia remains a relative bright spot in the global economy and this should help the region continue to expand its presence in international trade, investment, and finance."
Other confirmed speakers of AFF 2015 include:
- Paul M. Achleitner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Deutsche Bank AG- Michael Bennett, Head of Derivatives and Structured Finance of the World Bank- Michael Diekmann, Chairman of the Board, Allianz SE- Ding Xuedong, Chairman & CEO, China Investment Corporation- Andrea Enria, Chairperson, European Banking Authority- Josh Frydenberg, Assistant Treasurer, Australia- Ge Huayong, Chairman of the Board, China UnionPay- Jiang Jianqing, Chairman, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited- Steven Maijoor, Chair, European Securities and Markets Authority- Timothy G. Massad, Chairman, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission- N.R. Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys Limited- Cesar V. Purisima, Secretary of Finance, The Philippines- Yasuhiro Sato, President and Group CEO, Mizuho Financial Group, Ltd.- Abu Bakar Bin Suleiman, Chairman, IHH Healthcare Berhad- Teresita Sy-Coson, Vice Chairperson, SM Investments Corporation- Tony Tan Caktiong, Chairman, Jollibee Foods Corporation- Perry Warjiyo, Deputy Governor, Bank Indonesia- Xiao Gang, Chairman, China Securities Regulatory Commission- Ksenia Yuadev, First Deputy Governor, Bank of Russia
Three individual dialogues have been added to stimulate more dynamic interaction between participants and speakers such as Narayana Murthy from Infosys, Tony Tan Caktiong from Jollibee Foods and Michael Bennett from the World Bank. A series of thematic sessions will also be arranged to examine topical issues such as the outlook and investment opportunities in healthcare, Renminbi internationalisation, asset and wealth management in Asia, Chinese outbound investment, internet finance, the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, as well as ASEAN developments and the New Silk Road. AFF Diamond Sponsor Deloitte will also host a special session to look at financial innovation in the age of the Internet of Things. "As the world becomes increasingly connected, digital technologies are inexorably opening up more opportunities for the financial services sectors. The impacts to Asian markets are even more significant given its high economic growth rates, economic and social diversity and varying stages of financial sophistication," said Tim Pagett, China Financial Services Industry Leader of Deloitte China.
Doing Deals
The AFF is an effective platform for matching sources of funds with deals. Over the years, more than 720 investment project owners, private equity firms, investors, high net-worth individuals and senior professionals from intermediaries and professional services providers have taken part in one-to-one meetings at the AFF Deal Flow Matchmaking Session, co-organised by the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA) and the HKTDC.
The upcoming AFF Deal Flow will include project presentation showcases and roundtable discussions on technology, healthcare, infrastructure and real estate, food and agriculture as well as brands and consumer goods, to create more potential partnership opportunities.
The Global Investment Zone will also return to showcase investment and partnership opportunities in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, the Philippines and the US. Returning high-level participant delegations from these economies and others, such as the Chinese mainland, Germany, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand, will facilitate business connections and discussions.
Week Of Finance
The AFF is the anchor event of the International Financial Week (IFW) in Hong Kong. Starting from 15 January, 13 other high-level forums, conferences, seminars and networking activities will take place to highlight various sectors within the financial services industry, thereby showcasing Hong Kong's role as a leading international financial centre. Issues to be discussed include fund raising, capital markets, hedge funds, business ethics, as well as private equity. Among the IFW activities will be the fifth Asian Private Equity Forum (APEF) organised by the HKVCA on 21 January. "The HKVCA is glad to be part of the IFW, a major part of the global financial calendar, and we hope to create synergies among the finance industry professionals gathered in Hong Kong," said David Pierce, HKVCA Board Member and Chair of the APEF Organising Committee. "APEF aims to bring together limited and general partners as well as relevant debt and other service providers to address practical issues facing investors in the exciting private markets of Asia."
The AFF in 2014 attracted over 2,400 financial and business leaders from 41 countries and regions. For further information on the 2015 programme, please visit www.asianfinancialforum.com.
AFF videos: http://www.asianfinancialforum.com/en/info_multimedia.htm
Download: http://filesharing.tdc.org.hk/hktdc/download.php?fid=_phpIYkg8j
About HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.
Google+: http://plus.google.com/+hktdcTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdcLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-council
Source: HKTDC
Contact:
HKTDC Corporate Communication Department Joe Kainz Tel: +852 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
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