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The Shanghai-based bank was set up in 2015 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as the BRICS countries, to finance infrastructure and development projects.
The trip was also Chan’s first visit to the city since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic back in 2020.
It included stop-offs at company offices and research centres, as well as sit-down exchanges, which had all helped the minister to gain a greater understanding of emerging start-ups and tech firms located across the border, he said.
“They recognised the advantages of Hong Kong’s ‘one country two systems’ and internationalisation, and expressed a strong interest in expanding their global markets with Hong Kong as their base,” he added, referring to the city’s governing principle.
“I believe that there will be some good news in the short term about attracting strategic enterprises.”
The finance chief stopped short of saying which companies had expressed an interest, but made special mention in his blog of trips to Chinese technology giant Huawei’s Shanghai Research Institute and an unnamed firm that specialised in cloud computing and creating chips for artificial intelligence software.
Chan also gave a keynote speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2023 and addressed the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference Satellite Conference, all while promoting Hong Kong’s financial and high value-added services to key players in Shanghai’s commercial and industrial sectors.
“The visit shows that Hong Kong has been heading in the right direction to develop its innovation and technology,” he said.
But the minister warned the city should avoid becoming complacent and the financial hub needed to snatch opportunities to “stay ahead” of the competition.
Chan spoke at several events during his three-day trip in Shanghai. Photo: Handout
City leader John Lee Ka-chiu used last year’s policy address to propose the creation of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises in a bid to “proactively and aggressively” lure investments and business to Hong Kong.
The office launched in December and focuses on strategic industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, as well as financial technology, advanced manufacturing, and new energy technology.
Authorities said the office had contacted more than 150 enterprises within the first six months of its establishment.
Chan on Sunday also devoted part of his blog to domestic efforts to boost consumption that were first outlined in February’s budget speech, vowing that developing the economy was the government’s “core mission”.
He encouraged residents to go out and enjoy the Harbour Chill Carnival, an event under the “Happy Hong Kong” government drive to boost local spending and get people smiling after the pandemic.
Taking place along Wan Chai’s harbourfront and running for five weekends since Saturday, the series of live music shows and street performances features top entertainers, sports displays and lights shows.
The minister also urged residents to take advantage of the next batch of consumption vouchers coming on July 16 by going for a meal with loved ones to support the economy.