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SFST visits leading gold refineries in Switzerland to encourage setting up and expanding operations in Hong Kong (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, proceeded to Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time) to continue his visit after attending the Global Precious Metals Conference in Sorrento, Italy. He visited three world-leading gold refineries, namely MKS PAMP, Argor-Heraeus SA and Valcambi SA, to encourage high-end precious metals businesses and high-standard gold refining facilities to establish a presence and expand their operations in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited, Mr Bryan Chan, also joined the visit.

     Mr Hui first visited the MKS PAMP refinery in the morning. He met with its senior management, including the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Marwan Shakarchi, and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Emmett, followed by a tour to its vaulting facility and assay laboratory facility. MKS PAMP set up its third regional headquarters in Hong Kong last year to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region through Hong Kong. During the meeting, the two parties discussed plans to leverage Hong Kong as a trading platform and further expand gold business in the region and on the Mainland.

     Mr Hui and his delegation then visited the Argor-Heraeus SA refinery to learn about the latest developments in its application of artificial intelligence, blockchain and various analytical technologies in precious metals supply chain traceability and precision casting. Argor-Heraeus SA has been a pillar in Hong Kong's precious metals refining ecosystem with its trading office and refinery facility operating in the city for decades. At his meeting with its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robin Kolvenbach, Mr Hui told Dr Kolvenbach that Hong Kong has put forward a suite of targeted initiatives to foster the building of a modern and full-chain gold trading ecosystem. Coupled with the vast land supply and development potential brought about by the Northern Metropolis project, it is now an ideal time for the group to consider expanding business in Hong Kong and bringing to the city its advanced refining technology.

     Before concluding his visit in Switzerland, Mr Hui toured the Valcambi SA refinery where he met its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Simone Knobloch, and other senior management. At the meeting, Valcambi SA disclosed that the company is planning a collaboration with Hong Kong's sole steel producer Shiu Wing Steel to develop a gold refining and vaulting facility in Hong Kong.

     Mr Hui said, "We are fully committed to developing a comprehensive gold trading ecosystem that integrates gold trading, clearing and settlement, storage, refining, and risk management all in Hong Kong. Refining is a crucial component of this ecosystem. Now that top-tier Swiss refiners are taking part or planning to participate in Hong Kong's gold business, it definitely gives a massive boost to our efforts in gaining international recognition and elevating industry standards. Building on the current strong momentum in gold market development, the Government will continue our proactive approach in exploring policy support measures with a view to attracting more international precious metals enterprises to establish presence and Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong."

     Mr Hui has completed his visit to Switzerland. He will be back to Hong Kong this evening (October 8).
 
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:30
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The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (right) learning about the gold products of the MKS PAMP refinery in the company of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Emmett (left).
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (centre) meeting with the Group Chief Executive Officer of MKS PAMP, Mr Marwan Shakarchi (left), at its gold refinery to understand its operation.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second right) touring the facilities of an MKS PAMP refinery in the company of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Emmett (centre). Also present are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (first right), and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (second left).
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (seventh left) with the Group Chief Executive Officer of MKS PAMP, Mr Marwan Shakarchi (eighth left); the Chief Executive Officer of MKS PAMP, Mr James Emmett (sixth left); the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (fourth left); the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (fourth right), and other senior management of the group, after his tour at the MKS PAMP gold refinery.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (right) being briefed by the Chief Executive Officer of Argor-Heraeus SA refinery, Dr Robin Kolvenbach (left), on the casting process of different precious metals.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second left), having an exchange with the Chief Executive Officer of Argor-Heraeus SA refinery, Dr Robin Kolvenbach (first left) about the operation details of the refinery during a tour. Next to Mr Hui are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (first right), and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (second right).
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second right) learning from the Chief Executive Officer of Argor-Heraeus SA refinery, Dr Robin Kolvenbach (first right), about the metal properties and market demand of gold and silver during a tour at the refinery. Next to Mr Hui are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (first left), and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (centre).
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (fifth right) with the Chief Executive Officer of Argor-Heraeus SA refinery, Dr Robin Kolvenbach (fourth right); the General Manager and Head of Sales of Heraeus Metals Hong Kong Limited, Ms Ivy Chong (second right); the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (third right); the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (fifth left), and other officers after touring the gold refinery.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second left) touring the casting facilities of the Valcambi SA refinery, in the company of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Simone Knobloch (second right). Next to them are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (first right), and Executive Director of Shiu Wing Steel Mr Dario Pong (first left).
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui touring the melting department at the Valcambi SA refinery.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (first left), in the company of the Chief Executive Officer of Valcambi SA refinery, Mr Simone Knobloch (second left), touring its refining facilities which apply advanced technologies and modern refining processes. Next to them are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (first right), and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (second right).
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, visited world-leading gold refineries in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second left) with the Chief Executive Officer of Valcambi SA refinery, Mr Simone Knobloch (third right); Strategic Advisor of Valcambi SA refinery Mr Michael Mesaric (third left); the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (second right); the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (first right); and Executive Director of Shiu Wing Steel Mr Dario Pong (first left) after Mr Hui's tour to the gold refinery.