On 16 April, the “Hong Kong and Dubai Cross-border Market Development Summit 2025” was successfully held at The St. Regis Shenzhen.

Organised by the Hong Kong Fiduciary Association Limited, the event featured representatives from Invest Hong Kong, a department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.

Invest Hong Kong is a government department responsible for promoting foreign direct investment, committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international business hub in Asia and attracting enterprises from overseas and Mainland China to set up or expand in Hong Kong.

The Dubai International Financial Centre Authority is the UAE’s first financial centre and the largest, most established financial and innovation ecosystem in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

The forum was strongly supported by partners such as Hong Kong Trust Capital Management Limited, Hong Kong Enterprise Association Limited, and Inheritance Asset Management Limited. Over 200 industry professionals from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dubai, and other regions gathered to discuss frontier issues in cross-border enterprise development and to promote regional financial cooperation and innovation.

The summit comprised guest presentations and interactive sessions. Prior to the formal sessions, the organiser, Hong Kong Fiduciary Association Limited, hosted a token appreciation ceremony. Mr. Lawrence Chan, Operations Director of the Association, presented customised commemorative gifts to Mr. King Leung, Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech and Sustainability at Invest Hong Kong, Ms. Xiaoxi Guo, China Representative of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, and Mr. Melvin Mui, Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Trust Capital Management Limited, to express sincere gratitude.

Following the ceremony, Mr. King Leung, Ms. Xiaoxi Guo, and Mr. Melvin Mui delivered detailed and insightful presentations.

Mr. King Leung opened with a keynote on “Hong Kong: A Global Financial Centre”, highlighting Hong Kong’s policy advantages and mature market environment. He explained how Invest Hong Kong supports enterprises and investors through Hong Kong’s international financial platform.

Mr. Leung elaborated on Hong Kong’s core competitiveness from the perspectives of policy, market trends, cross-border cooperation, corporate finance, and tax advantages. His sharing provided forward-looking guidance for cross-border cooperation and wealth management strategies, which received high praise from the audience.

Ms. Xiaoxi Guo followed with a keynote titled “Leading the Future of Finance”. She explored the Dubai International Financial Centre’s strengths in business environment, legal framework, and innovation ecosystem, and discussed how these factors drive the sustainable development of enterprises in regional and global markets.

Ms. Guo also detailed Dubai’s strategic positioning as a financial hub, supported by concrete examples. She highlighted Dubai’s advantages in attracting international capital, fostering financial innovation, and supporting cross-border cooperation, particularly in setting up offshore structures.

Mr. Melvin Mui concluded the session with a presentation on “Hong Kong Trust as Your Best Partner for Overseas Expansion”, underscoring the role of Hong Kong trusts in asset protection, tax optimisation, and cross-border investment.

Mr. Mui explained how an efficient trust structure can facilitate entry into markets like Dubai, offering innovative and practical solutions for international expansion.

He also shared real-world examples to demonstrate the flexibility and foresight of Hong Kong trusts in cross-border wealth management and investment strategies, inspiring participants on sustainable international growth.

During breaks, speakers engaged in live Q&A sessions with the audience. Selected highlights:

Q: In the current international environment, how can Invest Hong Kong strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector”?

A: Mr. King Leung emphasised that Hong Kong’s policy advantages, mature market, and global financial hub status position it as an ideal gateway between Mainland China and the international market. He added that Hong Kong will continue to empower policies, build market bridges, promote cross-border cooperation, and optimise services to maintain and strengthen this role.

Q: What role will the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority play in cross-border market development, especially regarding Dubai and the Middle East?

A: Ms. Xiaoxi Guo stated that DIFC serves as a bridge between East and West markets and provides a stable, transparent business environment with benefits such as zero taxes and 100% foreign ownership. She highlighted DIFC’s ability to offer an “onshore offshore” solution that supports sustained cross-border business growth.

Q: What are the unique advantages of cross-border asset allocation through Hong Kong trusts compared to traditional offshore investment methods?

A: Mr. Melvin Mui explained that Hong Kong trust structures offer greater flexibility and efficiency, particularly in asset protection and tax optimisation. The mature financial market and robust regulatory framework in Hong Kong provide transparent and effective channels for cross-border investment and orderly wealth inheritance.

After the summit, a tea break was arranged, providing guests with a relaxed atmosphere to network, exchange insights, and foster future cooperation.

The “Hong Kong and Dubai Cross-border Market Development Summit 2025” is designed to serve as a high-end international platform for the financial and business communities of both jurisdictions, aiming to promote cross-border cooperation and explore new opportunities.

The forum also focuses on supporting Chinese enterprises in their global expansion, leveraging policy backing and the safe investment environments offered by Hong Kong and Dubai.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Fiduciary Association Limited will continue to work with professional partners to expand and deepen exchanges between Hong Kong and Dubai, supporting the internationalisation of Mainland enterprises and contributing to the high-quality development of both regions in the global financial market.