Financial Secretary Paul Chan continued his productive visit in Tbilisi, Georgia, on day two by engaging in various meetings and discussions aimed at strengthening economic ties and promoting sustainable development.
During his meeting with Georgia’s Minister of Finance Lasha Khutsishvili, Mr Chan discussed enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations, investment cooperation, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He highlighted Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center with top-notch professional services and robust air and maritime networks, expressing confidence in the city’s potential to serve as a vital platform for Georgian enterprises to expand their businesses in the region.
Mr Chan also participated in the Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting constituency meeting, where he discussed the bank’s strategic direction and ways to maximize its capital and lending capacity with representatives from member countries. Climate change resilience and green finance were key topics of discussion, with Mr Chan emphasizing Hong Kong’s role in connecting market funds with projects to support member countries in combating climate change.
In a meeting with ADB Executive Director Rachel Thompson and Deputy Executive Director Lisa Wright, Mr Chan explored how Hong Kong could further assist developing member countries in sustainable development, focusing on green tech, green finance, and digital transformation. He also exchanged views with Ambassador Zhou Qian on the latest developments in Hong Kong and Georgia.
The day concluded with Mr Chan attending a reception hosted by the ADB, highlighting the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in achieving sustainable development goals. The discussions and engagements during Mr Chan’s visit underscored Hong Kong’s commitment to fostering economic growth and promoting green initiatives on a global scale.