Hong Kong - gateway to the future of global finance
From prestigious financial summits to pioneering FinTech conferences, Hong Kong is the destination of choice for attracting the world’s financial elite to high-powered business events driving innovation and collaboration in the region
Hong Kong, the world’s third largest financial hub and freest economy, is an international powerhouse with a thriving business landscape. Its strategic location, along with an effective, transparent and robust financial regulatory regime make it the perfect meeting place to connect Mainland China and the rest of the world.
- World’s freest economy (2024)
- Top 3 global financial centre (2024)
- World’s #1 for investment environment
- World’s largest offshore RMB hub
- Asia’s #1 hedge fund hub
- Asia’s #1 cross-border wealth management centre
- Two-thirds of China’s inward and outward investment originated and intermediated via Hong Kong
Underpinned by a diversified financial services industry and world-class MICE infrastructure, Hong Kong is a leading destination for international finance conferences. With a strong foundation in traditional sub-sectors such as banking, insurance and wealth management, Hong Kong is also gaining traction into the FinTech and Family Office space.
Hong Kong’s track record in financial events
Banking & Finance
- Hong Kong is Asia’s largest banking hub for Chinese and international banks
- The assets of its banking industry quadrupled from 2000 to 2021 to US$3,380 billion
- Largest offshore RMB business hub playing a pivotal role in the GBA in wealth generation
- Attracted by its robust banking system and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong fosters industry conversations such as the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and Asian Financial Forum
"As a key gateway to the mainland market and largest offshore Renminbi business hub, Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in the Greater Bay Area in wealth generation"
Dr King Au
Executive Director at Financial Services Development Council
Insurance
- One of the world's most open insurance centres
- Hong Kong is home to 160 authorised insurers, including six of the world's top 10
- World #2 and Asia #1 for insurance premiums per capita at US$8,769 (end 2023)
- Total gross premiums in 2023 reached US$70.5 billion
- Host destination for significant industry events including East Asian Insurance Congress 2024, Asian Insurance Forum, Insurtech Insights Asia 2024, GAMA International LAMP Asia 2024, APFinSA 2024, the Pacific Insurance Conference in 2019, the Asia Pacific Life Insurance Congress 2019 and the International Union of Marine Insurance Annual Conference 2014
"Hong Kong is the top-notch insurance hub. Out of the 20 top world insurers, 12 of them have a presence in Hong Kong and operate here. Hong Kong has a very dynamic ecosystem and gathers industry professionals including international brokers, intermediaries, agents, virtual insurers and more. With our connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is not only the gateway to Mainland China, but also a platform for mainland Chinese insurers to expand overseas"
Selina Lau
Organiser of East Asian Insurance Congress 2024
FinTech
- At the forefront of global financial innovation, Hong Kong is among the top global FinTech ecosystems
- The city is home to around 1,100 FinTech companies and more than 10 unicorn companies
- The number of start-ups reached a record high of 4,694 in 2024 - a 40 per cent increase from 2020
- Homegrown FinTech events, including HK FinTech Week, are complimented by the global expansion of flagship events such as SmartCon 2024, Consensus 2025 and WOW Summit 2025 as well as the newly-launched Digital Visionaries Symposium 2024
“We are thrilled that Hong Kong, with its strategic advantage as the leading I&T hub in Asia, has been chosen as the first destination in Asia to host SmartCon.
“The city's exceptional environment that embraces diverse ideas and traditions will help spark new innovations by connecting the blockchain and finance industries”
Sergey Nazarov
Co-founder of Chainlink, organiser of SmartCon
“The scale of the inaugural Hong Kong event has surpassed our expectations, with nearly 10,000 attendees.
“What truly surprised us is that the community and industry were eager to participate. The fact that we ended up hosting over 350 side events is a strong testament to Hong Kong as a leading global FinTech hub, where we have a vibrant ecosystem, entrepreneurial spirit and innovative culture that nowhere else can replicate. I am also appreciative of the support from the HKTB in securing the event for the city I call home”
Michael Lau
Chairman of Consensus Hong Kong
Family Offices and Wealth Management
- For six consecutive years, Hong Kong has stood as Asia’s powerhouse for international bond issuance
- Among the world’s major equity financing centres
- A big draw for prestigious global financial events and capital flows worldwide including the PRIORITY Asia Summit organised by the Future Investment Institute, the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, APIC World Pension Summit and the 37th Annual AVCJ Private Equity Forum, fostering dialogue among global financial leadership
“Hong Kong has various comparative advantages as a leading global Family Office hub. It is strategically located in the heart of Asia, and the most unique gateway to Mainland China. That creates easy access for Asia’s richest families”
Adrian Cheng
Chairman, Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy
Ever greater opportunities with the GBA
In 2023, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)’s combined regional GDP rose into the ranks of the world’s top 15 economies, now accounting for 11 per cent of China’s total economic output. Hong Kong’s dual role as a GBA core city and the world’s largest offshore Renminbi (RMB) business centre has opened the door to opportunities in the financial services sector. This strategic advantage is further strengthened by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
The most international city in the GBA, Hong Kong is the region’s ‘super-connector’, especially for Chinese financial events seeking to go global. Landmark events like the 2024 Chinese International Finance Forum and Caixin Summer Summit are bringing together global financial leaders to drive innovation and collaboration. These successes demonstrate Hong Kong’s unique gateway role in China’s dual-circulation model, where Chinese enterprises pursue global expansion while leveraging their domestic strengths.
Hong Kong serves as the connecting node of the GBA, transforming international conferences, exhibitions and events into gateways of opportunity. With world-class infrastructure, strategic location and a vibrant business ecosystem to attract top-tier participants and sponsors, it is helping to transform business events into extraordinary experiences.
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