The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, attended the Swiss International Finance Forum (SIFF) in Zurich yesterday (October 25, Zurich time) and concluded his visit to Switzerland.
 
     Early in the morning, Mr Lau took part in the SIFF and delivered a keynote speech on "40 years of reform and opening up in China: A Hong Kong Perspective". He said that in the spectacular growth of China over the years, Hong Kong is proud to have played an important and irreplaceable role to channel investment flow into and out of China. Hong Kong’s development of the offshore Renminbi (RMB) market also helped with the internationalisation of the RMB.
 
     He also shared that China had entered into a new era of economic development and had shifted from a quantitative growth model to a higher quality growth in recent years. He cited advances in the areas of technology, sustainable development and regional connectivity as tools to promote such growth. Hong Kong is well positioned to capitalise on its unique role in connecting the overseas and Mainland markets.
 
     Under the theme "Towards a New Balance - Collaboration, Courage, Trust", this year's forum has invited seasoned experts from Switzerland and abroad to discuss the new reality in the finance sector and explore possible future scenarios on the financial market. There are also parallel sessions focusing on cryptocurrencies, blockchain, cybersecurity, and asset management.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Lau had a meeting with the Chairman of Asset Management Platform of Swiss Bankers Association, Mr Iwan Deplazes, during which they exchanged views on how to foster closer ties on asset and wealth management. 
 
     After that, Mr Lau met with the Executive Manager of Crypto Valley Association, Mr Kevin Lally, to learn about the latest ecosystem for blockchain and cryptographic technologies in Switzerland.
 
     Mr Lau also met with the Director of Swiss FinTech Innovation Laboratory, Dr Thomas Puschmann, and exchanged views on ways to nurture Fintech talents and mutual collaboration.
 
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau attended a dinner hosted by the Chinese Consul-General in Zurich, Dr Zhao Qinghua.  
 
     Mr Lau will be back in Hong Kong this afternoon (October 26).

Ends/Friday, October 26, 2018
Issued at HKT 9:28

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