Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Prof KC Chan started his Moscow visit yesterday to learn about its financial technology development and to promote Hong Kong as a leading global financial centre.
Prof Chan's first stop was the Skolkovo Innovation Centre, Russia's most important science, technology and innovation development project with strong government backing.
He met representatives of leading local Fintech start-ups and accelerators and was briefed on their experience in developing successful innovative projects and reaching out to international markets.
Prof Chan introduced Hong Kong's Fintech developments and appealed to the start-ups to explore the Hong Kong market.
He then addressed a business luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (London) and InvestHK to promote opportunities that Hong Kong as a leading financial centre can offer to Russian investors.
Prof Chan noted that as the largest offshore renminbi market and having raised the largest amount in IPO funds last year, Hong Kong will make the most of the opportunities arising from the Mainland’s continued reform and opening up.
With the use of RMB expected to increase as economic and trade ties between the Mainland and Belt & Road countries expand, Hong Kong will continue to develop its RMB infrastructure and connectivity with other financial centres in the region, he said.
Prof Chan later met Moscow Exchange Executive Board Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Alexander Afanasiev to discuss securities market and forex trading developments.
He encouraged Russian companies to use Hong Kong as a gateway to enter the Mainland markets by calling on Chamber of Commerce & Industry Vice President Georgy Petrov and briefing chamber members on Hong Kong's unique role connecting the Mainland with the rest of the world.
Prof Chan also paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador Li Hui.
