China Daily Co-branded session at Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference on 18 Nov, 2015 (ENG)

For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE

Pundits explore opportunities for Asia under ‘Belt and Road Initiative’
Nov 18, 2015, Hong Kong -Business and finance industry leaders gathered in Hong Kong for a special forum organized by China Daily to discuss the implications, as well as the opportunities for Asia’s trade and investment sectors created by the China-led “Belt and Road Initiative”.
The forum, themed “Belt and Road Initiative”: Implications and Opportunities for Trade and Investments”, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, in conjunction with the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC), which was attended by more than 300 delegates from across the continent’s trade, finance and logistics industries.
China Daily has been the only media in Hong Kong that has co-organized similar dialogue sessions with ALMC for two consecutive years.
The “Belt and Road Initiative”, first mooted by President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to enhance connectivity for 4.4 billion people from more than 60 countries. Since the announcement of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, a string of free trade agreements have been signed between China and countries and regions along the “Belt and Road” routes, involving more than US$250 billion worth of projects, ranging from railways to power plants.
During a recent visit to London, The Honourable C Y Leung, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Hong Kong is in talks with all the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a free trade agreement.
Infrastructure development will also play a crucial role in removing barriers to trade among various countries, while Hong Kong, which is home to the world’s number one air-cargo hub, is concerned about airspace management in the Pearl River Delta region.
With increased infrastructure construction and more free trade pacts on the way, the “Belt and Road initiative” will help to dismantle trade and investment barriers and enhance connectivity among nations along the routes. Public and private business sectors should work closely together to capitalize on these opportunities for their continued growth.
The distinguished panelists at the China Daily forum included Mr. Andrew FUNG, JP, Executive Director and Head of Global Banking and Markets, Hang Seng Bank; Dr. Thomas CHAN, Head of China Business Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Sandeep BAHL, Chief Commercial Officer, Mega Maldives Airlines; and Dr. Witman HUNG, JP, Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong, Shenzhen Qianhai Authority.
Mr. Fung gave an insightful analysis of the future development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. “In the short term, leasing and equipment financing will see the biggest immediate demand. In the medium term, I would see a revival of the shipping and aircraft-leasing business,” he said.
Dr. Chan stressed Hong Kong’s prominent role in the “Belt and Road” initiative, saying: “Hong Kong should learn to go beyond its traditional knowledge of the UK or Europe. It should look at and learn more about other emerging countries along the ‘Belt and Road’.”
Mr. Bahl shared his valuable thoughts on the aviation industry: “South Asian countries have been very active in pushing the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. The trade volume between China and the Maldives in past two years has tripled to US$200 million. The combined economies along the ‘Belt and Road’ represent a significant market not only for Hong Kong, but also all Asian countries,” he said.
Dr. Hung said: “Hong Kong, being just a ‘super-connector’ is not enough. I think Hong Kong and the mainland together can help shape the new order and trading standards.”
About China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable
The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable is a by-invitation network of movers and shakers in Asia providing platforms for focused dialogue, issue investigation, and possible collective action on strategic issues relating to economic, business and social development in Asia. Our aim is to enhance communication and increase mutual understanding between China, Asian and Western countries. Roundtable events are held in major cities across Asia. (www.cdroundtable.com)