CE attends World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and meets leaders from various sectors
23.1.2020

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (January 22, Davos time) attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She met the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Chief Strategic Advisor to the UK Prime Minister and a number of leaders from such sectors as finance, insurance and investment to update them on Hong Kong's latest social situation and measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as well as promote Hong Kong's advantages. In the afternoon, Mrs Lam attended an open dialogue session of the WEF and discussed with the host topics including Hong Kong's social situation in recent months and constitutional development. In particular, she highlighted the importance of understanding accurately and implementing fully "One Country, Two Systems" as well as upholding the rule of law to the future of Hong Kong. On measures taken by the HKSAR Government in response to the novel coronavirus, Mrs Lam pointed out in the dialogue that given there is a highly suspected case in Hong Kong, the city will immediately and strictly implement measures planned beforehand and continue to update the public the latest situation. Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met the Managing Director of the IMF, Ms Kristalina Georgieva, in the morning. Mrs Lam congratulated Ms Georgieva on her appointment as the IMF Managing Director in October last year and said that Hong Kong will continue to work closely with the IMF on promoting international monetary co-operation and maintaining financial stability. She specially thanked the IMF for its report issued last month, which reaffirmed that Hong Kong's prudent policies and ample buffers would enable the city to meet economic challenges and maintain financial stability. They also exchanged views on the global economic outlook and challenges faced by different regions. Mrs Lam and Mr Yau also met the Chief Strategic Advisor to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Edward Lister, in the afternoon. She updated him on the latest situation of Hong Kong and said that with the clearer situation in Brexit, the governments of the two places may expedite the bilateral co-operations in finance and other aspects. During the day, Mrs Lam met separately a number of leaders from various sectors, including the Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization, Mr Nobuhiko Sasaki; the Chairman of Prudential, Mr Paul Manduca; the Chairman of the Julius Baer Group, Mr Romeo Lacher, and the Chief Executive Officer of Julius Baer, Mr Philipp Rickenbacher; and the Chairman of Vista Equity Partners, Mr Robert Smith. Mrs Lam exchanged views with them on such areas as the global economic landscape, development of the financial and monetary markets and fintech. She also reiterated that the recent social incidents had not eroded Hong Kong's strengths and said she hopes they would continue to hold confidence in Hong Kong. In the evening, Mrs Lam attended an event organised by a Hong Kong enterprise on connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Addressing the event, Mrs Lam spoke on how Hong Kong, with the strong support from the Central Government, participates actively in the development of the Greater Bay Area and strengthens its links with ASEAN member states. Afterwards, she and Mr Yau attended a dinner organised by the Credit Suisse Group for WEF guests. Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Davos tomorrow (January 23, Davos time). Ends/Thursday, January 23, 2020 Issued at HKT 6:30 NNNN