First Irish Government Minister to attend influential Asia Finance Forum
Today (19-Jan) and tomorrow Simon Harris, Minister of State with special responsibility for International Financial Services, is undertaking a full itinerary of engagements in Hong Kong, a major Asian financial hub employing over 335,000 in that sector alone.
On a high level panel at the 8th Asian Financial Forum, and in front of an audience of over 2,400 financial services practitioners, Minister Harris spoke of the need of productive investment into Ireland via the soon to be operational Strategic Back Corporation of Ireland, and also at the European level, as the route towards a sustainable recovery and back to full employment.
On the margins of the Forum Minister Harris undertook bilaterals with the Hong Kong Administration’s Financial Secretary John Tsang and Financial Services Secretary Prof KC Chan, and with his counter-part at the Australian Treasury, Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg MP.
Topics of discussion focused on building closer ties with Hong Kong’s burgeoning financial services industry as a gateway for Ireland into China and the wider Asian market, Ireland’s increasing focus on promoting educational offerings in financial services, and on the regulatory environment in Australia. Minister Harris noted, “our similar cultural and historical traditions, a common legal and linguistic background, and can-do approach to doing business, make Ireland and Hong Kong ideal partners as gateways into Europe and China respectively”.
Minister Harris also spoke at an industry seminar of the opportunities for Ireland arising from the recently announced ‘Stock Connect’ – an initiative connecting the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. Addressing the 150 fund managers gathered at this Irish Funds Industry Association event, he informed them of Ireland’s role in leading the way to open up a market with the greatest potential for growth over the next decade.
Minister Harris also undertook engagements in support of Enterprise Ireland’s work in Hong Kong, which currently supports 25 Irish companies operating out of Hong Kong and surrounding areas and, particularly in the area of financial services, viewed as an area of great potential growth as a gateway into China.
ENDS
Media Contact: Richard Troy, 087-0641625
