Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau addressed more than 100 business leaders and senior executives from the Indian business community at a webinar today.

Mr Yau highlighted Hong Kong's institutional strengths and policies as well as its business and investment opportunities as a base for Asia-Pacific operations and gateway to the Mainland.

Pointing out the close bonds between Hong Kong and India, he said the city was India's fourth largest trading partner while India was its eighth largest trading partner in 2021.

Hong Kong is the world's freest economy and a regional hub connecting the markets of the Mainland, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, making it an ideal place for doing business and investment, Mr Yau said.

Noting that Hong Kong and India share the same vision in innovation and technology (I&T) development, he said India is renowned for its strength in I&T and believed the increase in the number of I&T startups in the city will provide fertile ground for mutual development in this field.

The commerce chief noted that the National 14th Five-Year Plan has given Hong Kong a major role in trade, finance, aviation, logistics, intellectual property trading, and arts and cultural exchanges.

As the most international city in the region, Hong Kong will provide India with a lot of business and investment opportunities in the city and the Mainland, he added.

The webinar was co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Singapore and InvestHK with the support of the Trade Development Council and Indian business organisations.