Policy Dialogue Session:

Leading Officials’ Insights on Belt and Road Development

Over the past decade, the global business environment has undergone sweeping changes. The global economic system nowadays is riddled with trade tussles and uncertainties which stifle healthy market competition and undermine prospect for many businesses. Since its introduction in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative has been bearing the hopes of global businesses to propel economic cooperation and growth. The many promising opportunities, however, can only realise through stronger collaboration between governments. In this session, ministerial officials who play a crucial role in establishing their economies’ trajectory will share their insights into setting forward-looking policies for the Belt and Road.

Policy Dialogue Session:

Investing for Value – Making Belt and Road Projects Viable

The Belt and Road Initiative harbours a window of opportunities which are closely observed by global investors thirsting for promising returns. An area of particular interest for many is the readily up-for-grab project opportunities in the market - projects which are well structured, properly risk-mitigated and commercially favourable. What kind of projects will be most attractive to international investors? How could investors uncover projects with hidden value in the market? A panel of illustrious business leaders will share their investment philosophy and concrete experience in this session.

GBS, JP 

President, Asia Financial Holdings Limited

Senior Chairman, Charoen Pokphand Group 

Chairman & CEO, First Eastern Investment Group

Chairman, China Everbright Group Limited 

Chairman, Power Construction Corporation of China

Sustainable Finance has attracted growing attention in infrastructure development given its beneficial impact to the investors, financiers, project owners and the project location. This has been given further impetus by the participation of various economies in the Paris Agreement as well as the commitment of different countries and organisations in promoting an open, green and clean Belt and Road cooperation. With IFFO being an active player in facilitating infrastructure investments and financing, IFFO has recently advanced in setting up the Centre for Green Finance (CGF) to further promote green finance through acting as the focal point for capacity building and experience sharing as well as a depositary for knowledge and expertise. The panel, comprising both public and private stakeholders, will look into the business case of adopting sustainable finance in infrastructure projects and share insights on the latest industry trends and offerings in this aspect.

JP 

Executive Director (External), Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Deputy Director, HKMA Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office

Director General, Private Sector Operations Department, Asian Development Bank

Finance Director, MTR Corporation Limited 

Managing Director and Chief Representative, Asia Pacific, International Capital Market Association (ICMA) 

Managing Director, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets

Group General Manager, Head of Belt & Road Initiative and Business Corridors, Asia Pacific, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

The United Nations has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for the year 2030. More and more investors involved in the Belt and Road projects (BRI projects) now realize that the UNSDGs may provide a clear risk framework on the external costs (such as environmental damage or unresolved conflicts which might at some point in time be forced into their accounts) and some attractive investment opportunities for providing solutions to sustainability challenges. This session is graced with the presence of an array of distinguished experts sharing their insights, extensive experience and pragmatic legal strategies on how to harness opportunities, overcome challenges and achieve the UNSDGs, in particular, Goal 16 (to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”). They will deliberate how proper risk-management planning, good corporate governance and innovative dispute resolution mechanism help to sustain further investment and maintain long-term relationship with the business partners, local government and community in BRI projects. Hong Kong, as a leading international deal-making and dispute resolution hub, may offer relevant expertise and services to contribute towards further sustainable investment in the BRI projects.

Topics:
1. Project finance and risk management for clean energy and resilient infrastructure
2. Inclusive access to justice through modern technology
3. Appropriate dispute resolution for the BRI projects

Secretary-General, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)

QC, SC, JP 

Chairman, Asian Academy of International Law

QC

President, Arbitration Association Brunei Darussalam; Barrister and International Arbitrator 

President, The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong; Partner, Tiang & Partners 

SC, JP

Former Chairman, Hong Kong Bar Association; Chairman, Communications Authority 

This thematic break out session intends to cover two important topics that underpin the commercial viability of State-owned enterprises (“SoEs”) investing in projects in Belt and Road (“B&R”) countries, namely risk transfer and project finance. The panel will discuss the following:

1. What important role does risk management play for SoEs investing in B&R projects? What are the requirements from SASAC* for B&R projects to safeguard assets and mitigate potential loss? Why risk transfer through insurance is the most important instrument for risk management?

2. Why risk management can be used as the common language amongst (re)insurers, banks and SoEs investing in B&R projects in exploring risk transfer and project finance solutions? How does risk management tie up all stakeholders together in B&R projects?

3. How can banks and (re)insurers address the risk management challenges of B&R projects in common? How risk management can enable project finance providers collaborate with insurance vendors? Why collaboration is a “must” between the insurance and the financing sectors in project finance for B&R projects?

4. Why Hong Kong can provide the ideal platform as an international (re)insurance hub and risk management center for dialogues and solutions related to B&R projects? How do relevant China authorities (e.g.SASAC) cascade their policies onto an operational level in Hong Kong to serve SoEs’ risk management?
There will be a live risk management dialogue on stage amongst risk managers, bankers, (re)insurers and SOEs. This panel discussion will provide practical insights on how all stakeholders work together to address their common interests and challenges in support of BRI.

Executive Director (General Business), Insurance Authority, Hong Kong

Director & General Manager, Sinopec Insurance Limited

Managing Director, Head, Global Credit Insurance Group, Capital Structuring and Distribution Group, Standard Chartered Bank 

Head of Specialty/ Risk Manager of Political and Credit Risk, The Channel Managing Agency Limited, SCOR

CEO, Hong Kong & Greater China, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE

Board of Director, The Risk Management Society (RIMS); Risk Management and Compliance Director, IKEA China

Same as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development is a momentous national development strategy advocated by China with enormous economic prospect. Comprising two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and nine adjacent municipalities in Guangdong Province, Greater Bay Area is accorded with high priority to develop into an international first-class bay area ideal for living, working and travelling. In a miraculous transformation, the city cluster has grown from a very humble beginning to an alliance of the strong today. Yet creating our own version of Silicon Valley on par with, or even exceeding other famous city clusters is no easy task. How can the cities work in tune under different systems by harmonizing their respective practices? In the fast beating heart of Greater Bay Area, where lies the opportunities for Belt and Road businesses? Having been the place where East meets West for over a century, how would Hong Kong bridge the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road to unlock the unprecedented synergies created by the two visionary blueprints? In this session, a panel of renowned business leaders will provide you with insights to help you become a fast mover in this new world of opportunities.

GBS, BBS, JP

Chairman, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union; Chairman (Hong Kong), Mainland China-Hong Kong Belt and Road Business and Professional Services Council

JP

Director & Deputy General Manager, China Everbright Holdings Co., Ltd. 

 GBM, GBS,

Group Chairman, Fung Group 

 JP

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited 

CEO, Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited 

Past President and Chairman of Belt and Road Committee, The Law Society of Hong Kong 

Director-General, Department of Commerce of Guangdong

New Investment Cooperation Opportunities in Building High-quality, Sustainable International Infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative In this session, representatives from leading Belt and Road enterprises are invited to discuss in depth what new investment cooperation opportunities can be uncovered under the Belt and Road Initiative in building infrastructure that are high-quality, sustainable, risk resilient, reasonably priced, inclusive and accessible. They will also examine opportunities in broadening financing channels, lowering financing costs and strengthening multilateral participation in investment and financing by financial institutions of various countries. Another focus of these experts is how Hong Kong can contribute its wisdom and power by leveraging its advantages in internationalisation and professionalism when cooperating with other Belt and Road participants in implementing the consensus items reached in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing. Such cooperative efforts will help foster high quality and sustainable development and make Belt and Road cooperation deep and concrete, steady and extensive.

Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council 

Chairman, China International Contractors Association (CHINCA)

Director of Research, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Vice President, China Communications Construction Company Limited 

Vice President, China Metallurgical Group Corporation

Deputy Director, Director of International Marketing Department, TBEA Co. Ltd.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to improve the infrastructure along the 60 countries, from Asia to Europe, Oceania and East Africa. Starting from 2013, the conception of “Economic Corridor” has been proposed in order to stimulate the economic growth of underdeveloped Belt and Road countries. However, the differences between countries, especially the financial policies and law, financial practice and supply chain, still lie as important obstacles to SMEs and individuals. The impediment in cross-border business could not unleash the potential of new markets along the Belt and Road Countries, hindering the economic growth. Technological innovation enriches smart living and increases the flexibility of business activities between countries, enabling businesses to reach overseas markets. The emergence of FinTech solutions and technologies helps to connect capital, goods and services along the Digital Silk Road. It ensures the financial supply chain of businesses and encourages local business to reach Belt and Road markets through online platforms. The digitalization of financial activities lifts the iron curtain of governments and enables rapid economic growth in Belt and Road countries and regions.

Chairman, Hong Kong Cyberport

Founder and Chairman, China Investment Research 

Senior Manager - FinTech & Blockchain Cluster, Cluster Team, Hong Kong Cyberport

Co-Founder & Executive Director, Joy Rich Ventures Limited 

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Velotrade Management Limited 

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Transwap Limited

Belt and Road projects are inextricably linked to risks among which the ever-evolving geopolitical risk appears to be most unpredictable, thus challenging for the companies to manage. Failing to evaluate and address geopolitical risks properly can be a costly mistake which renders all collective efforts futile. What geopolitical fundamentals and caveats must we recognise before setting foot on the Belt and Road soil? How can the business sector rise to the challenge of today’s geopolitics? How can Hong Kong’s service professionals help tackle this high hurdle and de-risk project ventures to make them more investable? This panel offers thought-provoking insights and practical takeaways for managing geological risks.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Strategia Worldwide

MBE

Regional Senior Partner and Global Chairman of Real Estate and Construction, KPMG

Managing Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking and Corporate Finance, Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

Deputy Managing Director, hpa (Ho and Partners Architects) 

Commissioner, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation 

Co-Founder and Managing Partner Strategia Worldwide

Hong Kong is an ideal fundraising hub for Belt and Road projects with its highly developed banking industry, syndication and bond markets, international network and deep pool of global expertise. This session will explore Hong Kong’s roles in: 
•  bringing more private sector capital for the Belt and Road while offering risk management tools; 
•  increasing the participation of institutional investors via Hong Kong’s capital markets; 
•  developing standards for high quality Belt and Road financing;
•  being a key platform for accessing the China capital markets and its implications on the Belt and Road, and 
•  promoting sustainable financing for Belt and Road projects.

Chairperson, The Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB)

Group General Manager and Chief Executive, Hong Kong, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Chief Executive Officer, CSOP Asset Management Limited 

Global Head, RMB Internationalisation / Belt & Road, Standard Chartered Bank 

General Manager of Global Corporate Banking Department, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited 

Chief China Economist, Head of Asia Economics, UBS Investment Bank

Thematic Breakout Forum B3:  Belt and Road Opportunities for the Young Generation 

In Association with:    

With its long-term development goals, the Belt and Road Initiative offers immense opportunities and promising future for the younger generation. With the right mindset, skills and knowledge demanded by the Initiative, young professionals, executive and entrepreneurs are bound to benefit substantially from this visionary blueprint. The successes of young pioneers who have already ventured into Belt and Road economies show that opportunities are indeed abound along the new Silk Road. In this session, a panel of young business leaders from across Asia, representing a diverse range of businesses, will share their experiences and views on how the younger generation can grasp opportunities raising from the Belt and Road Initiative.

Founder & CEO, Cherrypicks

Director - Technology, Tenderfield Pty Ltd

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AsiaPay

Co-Founder, Kuaidi Group; Chairman, Greater Bay Area Youth Home Association; Founding Partner, GBC Founders Fund

Founder and CEO, WeLab 

Executive Director, Marga Group