Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong is experiencing one of the most turbulent periods in its history, with months of social unrest leading to economic slowdown and the outbreak of coronavirus – with its unpredictable human and economic consequences – adding to its woes.

To brief Corporate Members on the latest developments in Hong Kong, Asia House will be joined by Edward Yau Tang-Wah, GBS, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, for an exclusive private video briefing.

Last month, Financial Secretary Paul Chan forecasted that the Hong Kong’s economic growth would range from minus 1.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent for 2020, following a contraction of 1.2 per cent in 2019. But with the full impact of coronavirus yet to be felt, the Special Administrative Region’s economic outlook remains uncertain.

Having learnt lessons from the 2003 SARS outbreak, the Hong Kong government has responded quickly to the COVID-19 outbreak, moving to close borders, provide support packages to aid companies and workers, and encourage social distancing. Together with Singapore, the city has been held up as a model for how to deal with the crisis. Despite this, there are concerns of a second wave of cases, with increasing signs of local transmission taking place among the city’s population.

In this exclusive briefing for Asia House Corporate Members, Mr Yau, speaking from Hong Kong via video link, will share his insights from the ground. Mr Yau will outline the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the city and the global economy, the implications for Hong Kong’s economic outlook, and the measures that the government has been taking to address the situation.

This briefing is being held exclusively for Asia House Corporate Members.  For more information, please contact Anthea Ow at anthea.ow@asiahouse.co.uk.