SFST's speech at launch of Oman's First Energy Transition Fund: A Strategic Partnership between Future Fund Oman and Templewater (English only) (with photos)
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His Excellency, Nasser Al-Busaidi (Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to China), Sheikh Nasser Al Harthy (Deputy President for Operations, Oman Investment Authority), Cliff (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Templewater, Mr Cliff Zhang), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is an honour and privilege to stand before you today, and I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Templewater for cohosting this exclusive ancillary event. This gathering is an excellent complement to the 10th Belt and Road Summit. Your initiative exemplifies the proactive spirit of international collaboration, and I applaud your efforts in bringing together senior executives, investors, and decision-makers to delve into strategic investment opportunities, cross-border partnerships, and innovative pathways for economic growth.
The Belt and Road Summit itself, organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, stands as a premier global platform for advancing co-operation across the Belt and Road economies. Discussions in the Summit span critical sectors including finance and investment, innovation and technology, professional services, and infrastructure, all aimed at harnessing the immense opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Hong Kong's role in this initiative is pivotal: we serve as the primary platform and super connector, leveraging our economic strengths, world-class talent, and unique position under "one country, two systems" to bridge East and West. By hosting this ancillary event, the OIA and Templewater are not only amplifying these dialogues but also highlighting Hong Kong's function as a gateway for capital flows and innovation between regions like Oman and Mainland China.
Now, allow me to turn our attention to the remarkable progress in Oman-China relations, which deserves our warmest congratulations. Oman has emerged as a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, deepening its strategic partnership with China in ways that align perfectly with Oman's Vision 2040 for economic diversification and China's BRI objectives. In recent years, this collaboration has expanded across trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and emerging sectors such as renewables, technology, and digital economy.
As we envision the next phase of this collaboration, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to further facilitate and elevate Oman-China economic ties, drawing on our status as a leading international financial centre. Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong boasts a robust legal system, free capital flows, simple taxation, and a well-respected regulatory environment that attracts global investors. We are the world's largest offshore Renminbi (RMB) centre, facilitating seamless cross-border settlements and promoting RMB internationalisation along BRI routes. This is especially pertinent for Oman-China projects, where Hong Kong can bridge financing needs for infrastructure, green energy, and technology ventures, enabling efficient capital allocation and risk management.
Our financial markets are experiencing great vitality, as reflected in the latest statistics. For the first eight months of this year, the Hong Kong stock market's average daily turnover reached US$31.9 billion, a remarkable 132 per cent increase from the same period last year. Funds raised through initial public offerings totalled US$17.3 billion, surging 579 per cent. These figures underscore growing investor confidence and our market's remarkable financing capability. There are now more than 100 Belt and Road companies listed on our stock exchange, and we expect more to come.
Beyond traditional finance, Hong Kong excels in green and sustainable finance, ESG (environmental, social and governance) investments, and carbon markets that align with Oman's renewables ambitions and China's digital-green BRI focus. For instance, we can connect the OIA's sovereign wealth with Chinese enterprises through joint ventures, co-investments, and innovative financing structures.
Furthermore, Hong Kong's role extends to digital innovation and professional services, where we support BRI projects through fintech solutions, legal arbitration, and talent exchanges. By strengthening linkages with Oman and China, we can unlock new avenues in areas like smart logistics, e-commerce, and renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring that collaborations are not just transactional but transformative.
In essence, Hong Kong is more than a facilitator - we are a catalyst for deeper, more resilient Oman-China co-operation. Through our financial prowess, innovative ecosystems and unwavering commitment to the BRI, we can help shape a shared future of inclusive growth, sustainability, and mutual prosperity.
Thank you once again to the OIA and Templewater for this gracious invitation. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to forge even stronger ties that will benefit our economies and peoples for generations to come. Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, September 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:47
Issued at HKT 17:47
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