Fifth Belt and Road Summit held online next week

24 November 2020 – The fifth Belt and Road Summit, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held on 30 November and 1 December (Monday and Tuesday). In view of the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s summit will all be held virtually, running on the theme “A Business Vision for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future”. The summit will highlight opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly those that can contribute to the post-pandemic economic recovery.

The online format will cover a range of forums and events including an opening ceremony, Policy Dialogue session, Business Plenary, other thematic breakout sessions, one-to-one business matching meetings, investment project pitching and exhibition zones. It will bring together some 70 officials and business elites from Belt and Road countries and regions, as well as investors, project owners and professional investment consultants from Mainland China, the Asia Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to explore opportunities resulting from the Belt and Road Initiative. Media representatives can register to view the summit by returning the registration form at the end of this press release.

Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR, said: “The COVID-19 epidemic is an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. No economy can combat the epidemic and create a healthy, sustainable and inclusive future alone. It will be crucial for us to join hands with our economic partners to look for new opportunities and growth engines, in particular those unleashed by the Belt and Road Initiative, to bring our economy back on track. I am sure there are many areas where Hong Kong and our Belt and Road partners can collaborate to pitch in and ride out the storm together. The summit this year will provide a rare opportunity amid the COVID-19 outbreak for senior government officials and business leaders of different countries to come together to have direct policy exchanges and foster collaboration.”

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC said, “The world is undergoing unprecedented changes, with COVID-19 impacting on the global economy and Hong Kong’s economic recovery. During these challenging times, it is all the more important for us to work together to grasp the opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development – and succeed together.”

Belt and Road projects to boost global recovery

The pandemic has posed threats to economic and trade exchanges through restrictions in logistics and customer flow, impacting Belt and Road cooperation and infrastructure developments to varying degrees. The Policy Dialogue session (10am, 30 November), titled “Creating a Healthy, Sustainable and Inclusive Future”, will feature officials from Belt and Road countries and regions to share their insights on future economic policies. The Plenary Session that follows on the same day at 11am, titled “Powering the World’s Recovery through Sustainable and Inclusive Development”, will be chaired by Victor Chu, Chairman & CEO, First Eastern Investment Group, with a panel featuring Francis Chua, Chairman Emeritus, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI); Victor Fung, Group Chairman, Fung Group; Vikrom Kromadit, Chairman, Amata Corporation PCL; Richard Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer, CLP Holdings Limited; Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO & CEO Asia, Schneider Electric; Wang Tongzhou, Chairman & General Manager, China Communications Construction Group Ltd (CCCG); and Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered PLC. The discussion will focus on how quality and sustainable development can benefit the post-pandemic recovery.

Thematic breakout sessions cover broad spectrum of topical issues

Nine thematic breakout sessions co-organised with various partners will be held in the afternoon of 30 November and on 1 December, covering topics such as innovative technology to address the pandemic, infrastructure, green finance, financing and investment, professional services, smart city development, manufacturing and selling, and start-ups. Officials, experts and corporate representatives from Belt and Road countries and regions will feature in digital settings to offer their insights on the Belt and Road outlook and how to create more business opportunities leveraging on Hong Kong’s advantages.

All-day online project pitching and business matching for first time

For the first time at the summit, a virtual exhibition will showcase more 30 local companies representing different sectors including banking and finance, infrastructure, professional services, and technology and innovation. The global investment zone will connect investors, project owners and professional investment consultants from 12 countries and regions, sharing the latest business information and highlighting investment opportunities.

The eagerly awaited Investment and Business Matching Session will be held again this year. One-to-one business matching meetings and project pitching sessions will run virtually, providing a platform for project owners, investors and service providers to connect and discuss their business and investment needs as well as exploring cooperation opportunities. The project pitching sessions will cover four main areas: innovation and technology, transport and logistics infrastructure, energy, natural resources and public utilities, and urban development.

We cordially invite you or your representatives to cover the Belt and Road Summit. Details are as follows:

Notes for media representatives

1. Media representatives interested in covering the Belt and Road Summit should complete the form and email it to cathy.wk.lee@hktdc.org by 26 November (Thursday) for pre-registration. Please note that unregistered media representatives will not be able to access the event. Those who successfully register will receive a confirmation email.
2. Members of the media wishing to interview speakers can email interview requests to clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org or angel.hc.tang@hktdc.org by 26 November.

Media enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Angel Tang                            Tel: (852) 2584 4544                                   Email: angel.hc.tang@hktdc.org

Clayton Lauw                        Tel: (852) 2584 4472                                   Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org