HONG KONG, January 14 (Itar-Tass) — Prospects of China's development and the role of Asia in changing the global economic landscape are the main issues on the agenda of the 6th Asian Financial Forum (AFF), which opens in Hong Kong on Monday. Taking part in the event are about two thousand representatives of the region’s business community: the bankers, executives, regulators of securities market, investment fund managers and heads of corporations from 32 countries and territories.
The Asian Financial Forum brings together some of the most influential members of the global financial and business community to discuss developments and trends in the dynamic markets of Asia. The forum provides an opportunity to build up contacts, gather the latest market intelligence, and explore business opportunities in Chinese mainland and the rest of Asia. The fifth AFF, in January 2012, attracted more than 2,000 participants and 400 journalists from 32 countries and regions – a new record. They came to hear the latest opportunities and challenges in Asia from more than 70 internationally respected leaders in government, financial and business sectors.
Head the administration of Hong Kong Liang Chzhenin will address the forum participants with a welcoming speech. Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Zhu Min, Chairman of the China Investment Corporation (CIC) Lou Jiwei, head of China Securities Regulatory Commission Guo Shuqing, experts from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and other countries will share their views, forecasts and analysis of trends in the world markets. Russia is represented at the forum by a delegation of businessmen who came under the aegis of the Russia - Hong Kong Business Association.
“The economic policy of China remains the focus of general attention, and this theme will be reflected at the current meeting," chairman of the AFF organising committee, Director of Hong Kong branch of Standard Chartered Benjamin Hung told reporters. According to him, it will focus, in particular, on the prospects of reform of China’s financial system, the expansion of the yuan circulation.
One of the key speakers - Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer of Australia Wayne Swan on Sunday expressed optimism that 2013 be a better year for the global economy. One of the reason for this optimism is the fact that China’s economy is beginning to stabilise, he said.
Another guest of honour at the forum - IMF Deputy Managing Director Zhu Min, stressed that developing Asian countries will continue to be the main driving force in the global economy. “The average growth of their GDP in 2013, according to our forecasts, will accelerate to 6.8 percent,” he said.
Forum will be held here for the sixth time at the initiative of the Government of this Special Administrative Region of China and with support of Hong Kong the Council for Trade. Among other issues to be discussed at the two-day forum are the future of the euro area, the opportunities for increasing trade and investment in Myanmar and other ASEAN countries.