Financial Secretary Paul Chan has held a roundtable meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, to brief local financial leaders on Hong Kong’s robust market performance and economic resilience.

Meeting with senior executive from banks, asset management firms and family offices, Mr Chan highlighted that Hong Kong’s economy has maintained steady growth over the past two years, supported by an active financial market. He noted that backed by strong national support for Mainland enterprises expanding globally, an increasing number of companies are leveraging Hong Kong's stock market to raise capital for their overseas operations.

Addressing the city’s global standing, the Financial Secretary pointed out that Hong Kong clinched the top spot globally for initial public offering funds raised last year and into this year. Amid prevailing geopolitical shifts, international investors increasingly view Hong Kong as a reliable capital safe haven and a key springboard for diversifying investments into the Mainland market.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government remains committed to reforming the stock market, expanding international market connectivity and boosting liquidity to offer global investors more diversified options.

Mr Chan emphasised that Hong Kong is continuously expanding its market scale and driving product innovation across fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management and green finance, alongside plans to develop gold and commodities trading. He noted that strong demand for cross-border asset allocation from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia has prompted many international wealth mangers to expand their footprint in Hong Kong, which is also actively promoting digital asset applications.

Turning to regional integration, Mr Chan highlighted that China's 15th Five-Year Plan outlines clear goals for a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. He stressed that the Greater Bay Area enjoys distinct advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing and high-end talent, presenting an unmissable opportunity for international investors.

Swiss financial institutions and family offices are encouraged to scale up their operations in Hong Kong and Mainland markets to capture these growth prospects. During his visit, Mr Chan also met with executives from a major Swiss bank.

Additionally, the Financial Secretary called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich & for the Principality of Liechtenstein Chen Yun to brief her on Hong Kong's latest economic developments and social situation and exchanged views on China-Europe relations and global political and economic trends.

Before concluding his European trip, Mr Chan was due to hold a roundtable meeting with local venture capital and private equity fund representatives this morning, with his return to Hong Kong set for tomorrow morning.