From boardrooms to hiking trails: HKMA courts top bankers with business and leisure

In an effort to promote a more vibrant image of Hong Kong, the countryside and hiking trails will be showcased to over 300 top bankers attending next week’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, which will be opened with a video address by China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng.

BlackRock co-founder Larry Fink and General Atlantic chairman and CEO William Ford were among the first-time attendees of the fourth edition of the financial summit, which runs from November 3 to 5, according to Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man.

Around 100 chairpersons and CEOs from global financial institutions are expected to attend. Other first-time participants include Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake, Brookfield chairman and CEO Bruce Flatt. Regular visitors such as Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and UBS chairman Colm Kelleher would also return, Yue said.

“International bankers value the chance to hear directly from mainland policymakers about their support for Hong Kong, which helps inform investment decisions in the city and the region,” Yue said in an exclusive interview with the Post.

Vice-Premier He, China’s top official overseeing the financial sector, will deliver the opening keynote speech via video on November 4. His virtual participation this year follows his in-person attendance at last year’s event, continuing a tradition of high-level mainland officials’ involvement in the annual forum.