Speakers from WeLab, ZhongAn, StanChart and Bank of China (Hong Kong) discussed the impact and advantages of virtual banking at the FinTech Forum

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HONG
KONG, CHINA�-�Media OutReach�-�16
April 2019 �- The fourth Internet Economy
Summit (IES) attracted around 3,000 attendance from industry players,
entrepreneurs and investors over two days in Hong Kong to explore the potential
of innovative technologies and the latest development of the digital economy.

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The FinTech
Forum,
titled "The New Era of Finance Redefined", took place this
morning. The fruitful panel discussions�explored what the future holds for
the banking and insurance sectors with the arrival of virtual banks and digital
insurers; and what disruptive changes emerging technologies such as InsurTech
and -smart contracts with Blockchain might bring in the future. Mr Paul Chan, Financial
Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Dr Lee George Lam, Chairman of
Cyberport, officiated the opening.

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"Like the past three
events, this year's summit is packed with intelligence and insight from an
international gathering of expert speakers, who, like myself, have faith in the
promise of the digital economy. As one of the world's leading international
financial centres, Hong Kong is blessed with a strategic location, the 'one
country, two systems' unique arrangement and ever-growing economic
collaboration with the Mainland of China," said Mr Chan during his opening
address.

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"Moreover, Hong Kong has a remarkably enabling
environment for the development of FinTech. After all, we boast a highly
efficient infrastructure in information and communications technology,
transparent and reassuring financial regulation, the free flow of capital,
talent and information, the rule of law underpinned by independent judiciary,
and a government committed to a FinTech future," he continued.

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Dr
Lee George Lam, Chairman of Cyberport,
said: "As the government continues to drive FinTech developments, Cyberport is
dedicated to fostering the steady and healthy growth of the innovation and
technology ecosystem in order to enable FinTech innovation to thrive. The
future is now: FinTech, InsurTech, RegTech, LawTech, blockchain and smart
contracts are powering the digital transformation that is reshaping the entire
banking and finance sector, and only those who are swift and agile to adapt and
innovate will be able to ride the wave of the digital economy era successfully."

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Mr
Zhong Xiangqun, Chief Operating Officer, Bank of China (Hong Kong), concluded
in his keynote speech that Hong Kong benefits from considerable strategic
advantages to the city's fintech development. The integration of banking
services and technology helps achieve a higher level of automation and cost effectiveness.
It also improves security and reduces the risk of counterfeiting
and fraud. He is confident that Hong Kong's innovative platforms, combined with
professional financial services, will help drive the economic integration of
the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

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The hotly anticipated panel discussion
on Virtual Banking was moderated by Mr Nelson Chow, Chief Fintech Officer,
Fintech Facilitation Office, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Four speakers
from four newly licensed virtual banks participated in the panel discussion
before a packed audience. They were Prof KC Chan, Senior Advisor to WeLab; Mr Ken Lo, founding member of ZA International; Mr Samir Subberwal,
Managing Director & Regional Head, Retail Banking, Greater China &
North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong
Kong); and Mr Michael Wang Lan, Head of Virtual Bank Working Team at Bank of China (Hong Kong).

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The
three other industry forums, including AI
Forum (co-organised with Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporation),
Enterprise 4.0 Forum (co-organised
with Hong Kong Productivity Council) and Cybersecurity
Forum (co-organised with Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research
Institute), were held concurrently this afternoon.

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The
two-day IES revolved around the central theme of "Digital Economy Redefines our
Future", with informative presentations and engaging panel discussions
exploring various trending topics such as AI,
Fintech, cybersecurity, Blockchain, Enterprise 4.0. It hosted an impressive
line-up of more than 70 leading speakers representing tech giants such as Amazon
Web Services (AWS), Twitter, Alibaba Group, Microsoft, etc.

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For
more high-res photo, please download via this Dropbox
Link.

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The
fourth Internet Economy Summit was held at the HKCEC from April 15 to 16. To
find out more, please visit: www.ieconomysummit.hk