To celebrate the 12th anniversary of China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong Chapter (CRECCHK), the Chapter has organized an Anniversary Seminar at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center on 1 December 2014.
Professor Anthony Cheung Bing Leung, Secretary for Transport and Housing, the Hong Kong SAR Government, has been invited as the Keynote speaker. Other guest speakers included Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Minister Industrial Development Sabah and Mr. Mao Da Qing, Executive Vice President, Vanke China, who gave a speech on "Living Quality Aspirations". The Seminar marked as the first of a series of seminars, workshops and research on Living Quality Aspirations in Asia for the next two years of the Chapter.
About 15 members attended the Council's Annual General Meeting. The year 2013 saw Thailand's economy performed well, given the uncertainties in the world, while the government proceeded with reforms in such areas as education. The Council played its part in keeping members informed about the changing political and economic situation in the Kingdom and the affects of global events on Hong Kong and the Mainland. We also continued to develop ties with other organizations.
Mr. Horst Geicke, Mr William Chao, Mr Yu Yee Lam and Mr Benjamin Yiu Chung Cha were re-elected as Directors for the ensuing year. Simultaneously, Ernst & Young was re-appointed the Council's Honorary Auditors. The current Board of Directors consists of 12 directors:
1) Mr. Bernard Chan, GBS, JP, President of Asia Financial Group
2) Mr. William Chao, Managing Director of Wing Wah Limited
3) Mr. Tom V. Chatjaval, Founder and Chairman & CEO of TVC Management Ltd
4) Mr. Kenneth Gaw, President & Managing Principal of Gaw Capital
5) Mr. Horst Geicke, Chairman and Co-Founder of Pacific Alliance Group, VinaCapital Group
6) M. Clayton T. Hebbard, Consultant of Grant Thornton
7) Dr. Harry Lee, SBS, JP, Managing Director of TAL Apparel Limited
8) Mr. Willy Lin, Managing Director of Milo's Knitwear (International) Ltd
9) Mrs. Katherine Ngan, JP, Executive Director of May Cheong Toy Products Fty Ltd
10) Mr. Raphael Tong, Managing Director of Shanghai Mister Softee Food Products Co Limited
11) Mr. Benjamin Lam, Executive Director & Deputy CEO of Pacific Century Premium Development Ltd
12) Mr. Benjamin Cha, Executive Director of HKR International Ltd
It was our Council's pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to co-organise with The Royal Thai Consulate-General, a luncheon & panel discussion on the "ASEAN - Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement: Challenges and Opportunities", right after our Annual General Meeting on 15 September 2014. The Panel Discussion provided a platform for stakeholders in the public and private sectors to exchange views on potential challenges and opportunities arising from the ASEAN - V Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Currently under negotiation, the prospects for an FTA among these giant economies bear significant implications on the future of the business community in the region. Participants from ASEAN and Hong Kong updated with the latest developments of the negotiation, research and studies, and experiences on the benefits derived from and challenges posed by the FTA.
Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI) has invited Dr Pakorn Peetathawatchai, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Strategy & Finance Division, The Stock Exchange of Thailand to speak to us in Hong Kong in their notable Regional Market Update Series. He talked about the opportunities and challenges facing the Thai economy; the impact of political uncertainty on the Thai stock exchange; the resilience of Thai listed companies; and the role of Thai capital market as regional financial connectivity.
NEST is Hong Kong's pre-eminent start up incubator. They invest in, build and scale high-growth businesses in Hong Kong and Asia. They are always seeking the truly disruptive and aim to develop Hong Kong as a global hub in entrepreneurship.
They have partnered with KPMG to present the most exciting businesses in their eco system to investors in a Silicon Valley-styled Demo Day event. It was a fast-paced event where 10+ companies has pitched their businesses, followed by breakout sessions to meet the founders and learn about these opportunities in details.
The HKSAR Chief Executive, the Honourable Leung Chun-ying, has delivered his Policy Address to the Legislative Council on 15 January 2014. At this luncheon, the business community was able to hear Mr Leung's further elaboration on his Policy Address. Participants was also able to learn more about his initiatives and directives for tackling key issues, such as housing, land supply, air quality and Hong Kong's competitiveness in the year ahead.
The 7th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) featured the theme "Asia: Powering World Growth", presenting participants with a unique opportunity to spotlight developments and trends in the dynamic markets of Asia.
AFF Deal Flow Matchmaking Session, which was a pre-arranged deal-sourcing and matchmaking session for project owners, high net-worth individuals, corporate investors and senior professionals from intermediaries and professional services providers. Riding on the trend of China's outbound in investment, AFF Deal Flow featured dedicated matching meetings between Chinese investors seeking investment opportunities abroad, and overseas project owners looking for Asian capital.
