Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks to the media ahead of an Executive Council meeting on Dec 5, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Riding on the momentum of the closer ties between Saudi Arabia and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the SAR will co-host the FII PRIORITY summit from Thursday to Friday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said it was the first time for the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, the Saudi co-organizer, to hold the event in Asia.

“It clearly showed the FII Institute has attached importance to Hong Kong by choosing the city as the premier venue for the summit and recognized the city’s role as an international financial center and a connector between the nation and the world,” Lee said.

It (The FII PRIORITY) clearly showed the FII Institute has attached importance to Hong Kong by choosing the city as the premier venue for the summit and recognized the city’s role as an international financial center and a connector between the nation and the world.

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive

During the summit, more than 1,000 political and industry leaders from around the world will gather in the financial hub to discuss how to meet global challenges amid uncertainties and how Asia played a key role in the global development, he said.

“Richard Attias, the chief executive of the FII Institute, had told the media that Hong Kong has returned to its vibrancy and hailed the city as the best gateway to Asia,” Lee said.

Themed “Megatrends Shaping Humanity”, the summit was co-organized by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.

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More events to come

The CE also revealed that a series of events will be held in Hong Kong, including the Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Alliance (APICTA) Awards and the Asian Insurance Forum 2023, adding that the government will roll out more activities to promote the night time economy.

"A world-renowned fashion brand organized a very succesful fashion show last week at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, against the backdrop of the night view of the Victoria Harbour. It had highlighted the charm of Hong Kong as an international metropolis and the importance of the nation's market," Lee said, adding that the brand's chairperson had hailed the city as the center of Asia and many international enterprises had cast their vote of confidence to the SAR.

“Some business operators said their businesses had gone up under the Night Vibes Hong Kong. We will continue with it and make it more attractive in each round,” he said.

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“There are competitors around the world and we needed to have confidence in ourselves and be able to show others that the city was an attractive place,” he said, adding that some will be held during the Christmas and New Year holiday season to leverage on the favorable atmosphere.