Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Victor K Fung, Pamela Mar, John W H Denton, Natalie Blyth, Alessio Botta, Howard Lee, Andrew Wilson, Eddie Yue
Other Events
Enquiry: T: +852 3917 1297 | E: agimail@hku.hk
Watch replay: https://bit.ly/3H4nai8
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many economies across Asia – where they account for over 90% of enterprises, and the bulk of employment – by have been increasingly underserved by global finance. The trade finance gap – estimated at $1.5 trillion USD pre-pandemic – has worsened to $1.7 trillion in 2020. The persistence of covid, the increasing pace of digitization, and the skills gap—do not bode well for SMEs, particularly in the emerging markets.
Against this backdrop, the Advisory Group on Trade Finance, formed by the International Chamber of Commerce in 2020, proposes a new vision for trade finance built around accessibility for SMEs, digitization and global interoperability. The technology exists to overhaul how trade finance works and make it a lot more inclusive. There are clear opportunities for Hong Kong, Asia and the world in this new ecosystem.
Event Schedule:
1500 HKT I Introductory Remarks: A New Vision for Trade Finance, by Victor Fung
1510 HKT I Keynote address: Connecting the Digital Islands - Next Steps in Trade Finance, by Eddie Yue
1535 HKT I Presentation: Re-Envisioning the Trade Finance Ecosystem, by Alessio Botta
1545 HKT I Panel discussion: Creating the Future of Trade Finance in Hong Kong, Asia and Beyond, Featuring Alessio Botta, Natalie Blyth, Howard Lee, and Andrew Wilson, Facilitated by Pamela Mar
1645 HKT I Closing Remarks: Reflections on the Future of Trade, by John Denton
Chairman, Asia Global Institute
Senior Fellow, Asia Global Institute
Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce
John W H Denton is a global business leader and international advisor on policy and a legal expert on international trade and investment.
Global Head of Trade and Receivables Finance, HSBC
Natalie Blyth is Global Head of Trade and Receivables Finance of HSBC.
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Alessio Botta is a Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company.
Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Howard Lee is Deputy Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Global Policy Director, International Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Wilson is the Permanent Observer of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to the United Nations.
Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Eddie Yue is Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Room 326-348, Main Building
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam, Hong Kong