Despite the uncertain global business environment under COVID-19, Hong Kong maintains its competitiveness as an international financial centre in Asia with the city’s open business environment, free economy, rule of law, well-established infrastructure system and international talent pool. Hong Kong’s ever-growing business relationship with the mainland China has continued to give rise to unlimited market potential. In this webinar, distinguished Hong Kong business leaders and economist shared their insights on how European companies could take advantage of Hong Kong’s unique role to capture new business opportunities. The webinar was organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised with 18 Business Associations in Europe, which are under the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide (Federation). The Federation is a global network of over 11,000 members representing 46 associations in 35 countries and regions. Programme 16:00-16:05 Welcome Remarks Mr Patrick Lau Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council 16:05-16:10 Opening Remarks Mr Hans Poulis Vice Chairman, Federation of HK Business Associations Worldwide 16:10-16:25 Updates on Hong Kong Economic Landscape & Greater Bay Area Development Mr Nicholas Kwan Director of Research, Hong Kong Trade Development Council Intended to create a Pearl River Delta powerhouse linking the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions with nine Guangdong cities, the Greater Bay Area development is one of China’s key policy initiatives. The 56,000 square km region comprises a sizeable 72 million strong consumer market with a combined GDP of US$1.7 trillion. Its ultimate transformation forms an integral part of the wider Belt and Road Initiative, China’s ambitious globalisation programme. With China being the first major economy to resume growth in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Nicholas Kwan shared the progress made to date on this far-reaching project, while highlighting the policy priorities and opportunities for European companies going forward. 16:25-16:40 Hong Kong as a Vibrant Business and Investment Hub Mr Victor L. L. Chu Chairman & CEO, First Eastern Investment Group; Chairman, Hong Kong-Europe Business Council Despite the business uncertainties around the world, Hong Kong maintains its competitiveness as an international banking and financial centre in Asia with the city’s open business environment, free economy, well-established infrastructure system and international talent pool. In this session, Mr Victor L. L. Chu shared his insights on how European companies can make use of the edges of Hong Kong to capitalise opportunities in Mainland China and Asia. 16:40-16:55 Hong Kong as a Gateway to Greater Bay Area and Asia Opportunities Mr Arnold Cheng Director - Hong Kong & Pearl River Delta, John Swire & Sons (China) Limited Leveraging its strengths as a highly competitive internationalised city in the Greater Bay Area and long maintained close ties with Mainland China, Hong Kong has been the dominant gateway to capture Greater Bay Area and Asia opportunities. In this session, Mr Arnold Cheng shared how Swire Group, as a global conglomerate with diversified business profiles, has developed its businesses and captured new opportunities in Mainland China through the Hong Kong platform. 16:55-17:15 Panel Discussion and Q&A Moderator: Mr Silas Chu Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel, Hong Kong Trade Development Council 17:15-17:45 Live Networking Session (via Remo) End Organiser : Hong Kong Trade Development Council Co-organisers: Austrian Hong Kong Society Baltic Hong Kong Trade Association (Latvia) Belgium–Hong Kong Society Denmark–Hong Kong Trade Association Finland-Hong Kong Trade Association Association France Hong Kong German Hong Kong Association Hungary–Hong Kong Business Association Ireland Hong Kong Business Forum Italy–Hong Kong Association Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association Norway–Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce Poland Hong Kong Business Association Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce & Industry Russia–Hong Kong Business Association Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association Hong Kong–UK Business Forum Supporting Organisations : The European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong DEIK Turkey – Hong Kong Business Council