According to an announcement, on the local date of yesterday, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan continued his visit itinerary in Doha, Qatar, participating in a series of activities of the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and meeting with representatives of governments and financial institutions from various countries to exchange views on infrastructure financing, digital public infrastructure, investment and economic cooperation.
At a roundtable meeting, Paul Chan spoke on how the AIIB can deepen and expand support for member economies. He pointed out that enhancing climate resilience and developing digital infrastructure have become urgent needs for various economies, and that to translate these development needs into concrete projects, in addition to funding support, full-cycle project planning and execution capacity are equally indispensable.
Paul Chan stated that Hong Kong will continue to support the AIIB in assisting members with the preparatory work for infrastructure projects, creating favorable conditions for project financing and smooth implementation, and helping to achieve development goals. He also welcomed the AIIB to establish an office in Hong Kong and emphasized that Hong Kong will actively support its work, leveraging its advantages as an international financial center and professional services hub to promote regional infrastructure and sustainable development.
At a seminar titled "Digital Public Infrastructure as a Driver for Building Resilient Economies," Paul Chan delivered a keynote speech. He noted that the rapid development of artificial intelligence brings new opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of digital public infrastructure. Hong Kong is actively promoting the application of artificial intelligence in public services and various economic sectors, and supporting innovative development by improving computing power, data and digital infrastructure facilities, as well as enhancing artificial intelligence literacy across society. At the same time, the government will strengthen cybersecurity, protect data privacy, and improve artificial intelligence risk governance, so that citizens and businesses can confidently apply new technologies and share in the fruits of the digital economy's development.
During the annual meeting, Paul Chan met with Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, to exchange views on strengthening cooperation between the two places in trade, investment, finance and infrastructure development. He also met with Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank, to discuss jointly promoting bilateral trade, supporting the development of startups in both places, and strengthening investment cooperation in the venture capital sector. In addition, he met with Danny Alexander, Chief Executive of Infrastructure Finance and Sustainability at HSBC, to discuss infrastructure financing and related cooperation opportunities.
In the evening, Paul Chan attended the AIIB annual meeting members' dinner hosted by the host country Qatar, and exchanged views with representatives from governments, multilateral development organizations, financial institutions and the business sector from various places. It is reported that Paul Chan concluded his visit itinerary late at night on the local date of yesterday and departed for Hong Kong, and is expected to arrive in Hong Kong in the afternoon of today Hong Kong time.