The Third Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue

The Third Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue was successfully held in Bern, Switzerland on 12 November 2019.  The Dialogue, co-organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) under the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, aims to deepen financial services collaboration between Hong Kong and Switzerland and facilitate exchange of views on important issues surrounding the global financial system. 

The Dialogue was chaired by Mr Edmond Lau, Senior Executive Director of the HKMA, and Mr Christoph König, Acting Head of Policy Planning and Strategy of the SIF, with representatives from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, the Swiss National Bank, SIF and the HKMA attending.  The meeting discussed the latest development of new finance, including green finance and fintech, and opportunities arising from Mainland China’s financial open-up including the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).  Both sides also discussed some international financial policy issues. 

On the same day, Mr Lau opened the third Hong Kong-Swiss Financial Seminar and participated in one of the panel sessions. The Seminar was co-organised by the Private Wealth Management Association of Hong Kong and the Swiss Bankers Association.  At the Seminar, Mr Lau shared his views on the latest development of the private wealth management industry in Hong Kong and the HKMA’s work in enhancing Hong Kong’s financial platform, nurturing talent and promoting financial connectivity in the GBA, including the recently announced wealth management connect.  He also called on closer collaboration between industry members in Hong Kong and Switzerland.  In particular, Swiss private banking industry can leverage on the established strengths of Hong Kong to tap the vast opportunities promised by an increasingly affluent GBA population.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
13 November 2019

Mr Edmond Lau, Senior Executive Director of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) (left) speaks at the Hong Kong-Swiss Financial Seminar to promote Hong Kong’s financial platform and encourages Swiss private wealth industry to leverage Hong Kong’s established strength to capitalise emerging opportunities. Beside him are Ms Amy Lo, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA) (centre) and Mr Oliver Kuan, Head of Strategy and M&A, Julius Baer (right).

Representatives from Hong Kong and Switzerland authorities and private sector join the Financial Seminar. Speakers include (from left to right) Mr August Benz, Head of Private Banking and Asset Management/Deputy CEO, Swiss Bankers Association; Mr Christopher Hui Ching-yu, Executive Director, Financial Services Development Council of Hong Kong; Mr Edmond Lau, Senior Executive Director, HKMA; Ms Amy Lo, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA); Mr Peter Stein, Managing Director, PWMA; and Mr Oliver Kuan, Head of Strategy and M&A, Julius Baer.