The Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide met in Niigata, Japan, for the Asia Forum 2025, which is an annual regional conference, running May 21 to 23. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and the Niigata Chapter of the Japan Hong Kong Society took the opportunity to hold the Hong Kong Night yesterday evening (May 22). The event is a highlight programme under the Asia Forum 2025 to promote closer regional economic and trade ties, understanding and co-operation, as well as cultural and tourism exchanges among member associations in Asia.
 
     The Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam, was invited as the keynote speaker to share with the guests how Hong Kong International Airport connects Hong Kong and the world, enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness by leveraging various strengths of Hong Kong as a resilient business and innovation hub.
 
     In his keynote speech, Mr Lam recapped that Hong Kong has evolved from a manufacturing centre to a premium business and trading hub over the years with key advantages such as its free port status and low and simple tax system. He highlighted the city’s internationally recognised position as the world’s freest economy and related rankings.
 
     "Hong Kong is a leading business and trading hub. At Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), we aim to support the city in meeting the next wave of competition by providing more value to businesses around the world and attracting more companies to invest and operate in Hong Kong. Our airport therefore must offer the highest standard of convenience and efficiency, through further extending air connectivity and leveraging technology. Our Airport City development strategy sets its sights on transforming the airport into a destination in its own right, attracting more passengers to visit or transfer at Hong Kong," he said.
 
     Mr Lam also updated the guests on the areas where HKIA can contribute to enhancing Hong Kong’s trading hub status, including capturing the tremendous opportunities of e-commerce, streamlining the logistics operations within the region with intermodal connections, and handling new asset classes such as art storage and gold storage.
 
     The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide is network of partners who bear testimony of how different regions of the world have been connected through doing business with Hong Kong over the years. To further enhance these connections and contribute even more significantly to regional prosperity, Hong Kong is actively seeking early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and has sought valuable support for this from various member associations of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide.
 
     The Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide is a network of 49 Hong Kong Business Associations in 38 countries and regions. The member associations have strong business links to Hong Kong in their respective countries.
 
     The Asia Forum is a regional platform for the members of Hong Kong Business Associations to network, share experiences, and build contacts as well as business interests.

Ends/Friday, May 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 7:23

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