The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, yesterday (January 25, Davos time) continued to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, she also met with the leadership of various economies and international organisations.

     In the morning, Mrs Lam attended a breakfast meeting hosted by the Women Political Leaders Global Forum (WPL), the second time she attended a WPL activity since one in Da Nang, Vietnam, last year. Mrs Lam shared with the women leaders details of her governing experience and the work in promoting women’s development and equal employment opportunities in Hong Kong.

     Mrs Lam and Mr Yau then held a bilateral meeting with the Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland, Mr Johann Schneider-Ammann. Mrs Lam noted that Hong Kong and Switzerland, which are among the freest and the most competitive economies in the world, are close trading partners, and that both economies are seeking to maintain their competitive advantages through measures such as vocational and professional education. She encouraged Swiss enterprises to take full advantage of Hong Kong's low taxes, efficient business environment, robust legal regime and advanced infrastructure to access markets across China and Asia. Recalling her visits to various Swiss institutions related to financial technologies (Fintech), innovation and technology (I&T), medicine and education earlier in the trip, Mrs Lam said there is plenty of room for collaboration between the two places and that she looks forward to more co-operation in various areas.

     During the day, Mrs Lam attended two Informal Gatherings of World Economic Leaders on "The Future of the Financial and Monetary Systems" and "Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World".

     In the afternoon Mrs Lam, together with Mr Yau and Mr Lau, met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom (UK), Mr Philip Hammond. She said she was pleased to meet Mr Hammond again following her visit to London last September, adding that both governments are now working closely to take forward new collaboration initiatives in trade, Fintech and I&T. On the successful conclusion of the Ninth UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue held in Beijing last year, at which areas for collaboration related to the Belt and Road Initiative were announced, Mrs Lam emphasised that many of these co-operation areas are where Hong Kong’s strengths lie, and there is much scope for collaboration between Hong Kong and the UK. Noting that Hong Kong will host the next Belt and Road Summit in June, she welcomed UK businesses to make use of the occasion to meet potential Belt and Road partners.

     Mrs Lam, accompanied by Mr Yau, subsequently met with the Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF, Professor Klaus Schwab.  Mrs Lam said that she was pleased to attend WEF Annual Meeting for the first time as the Chief Executive. She said that the meeting provided an excellent platform for her to inform others of the latest developments and the opportunities ahead of Hong Kong, and she would encourage more Hong Kong enterprises to take part in future meetings.

     Mrs Lam and Mr Yau then met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mr Roberto Azevêdo. Mrs Lam noted that Hong Kong, being a founding member of the WTO, has been a staunch supporter of free trade and firmly believes that a strong, rule-based multilateral trading system is a cornerstone of the global economy that  provides stability for international trade and drives economic growth.

     Mrs Lam and Mr Lau also met with the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, Mr Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Falih, and the Minister of Finance, Mr Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan. They exchanged views on issues of mutual interest following Mrs Lam’s visit to Saudi Arabia last December.

     Accompanied by Mr Lau and Mr Yau respectively, Mrs Lam also had meetings with the Chairman of Standard Chartered Group, Mr José Viñals, and the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Healthcare, Ms Belén Garijo. She had discussions with Mr Viñals on areas including global economic situation and the development of financial services industry in Hong Kong, and exchanged views with Ms Garijo on biomedical research and the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam hosted a cocktail reception for Hong Kong participants at the WEF to thank them for promoting Hong Kong in the international arena. The reception was held at an event venue of the Crossroads Foundation. In her speech, Mrs Lam especially thanked the Crossroads Foundation for its work in Davos over the years.

     Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Switzerland today (January 26).

Ends/Friday, January 26, 2018
Issued at HKT 8:05

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