AMTD News | Official launch of the Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association

The Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association (“HKYFA”) was officially inaugurated during the 2021 Hong Kong FinTech Week, the annual FinTech flagship event of the HK SAR Government. The promoters and distinguished guests attended the launch ceremony which took place at the AMTD House in the FinTech Week main conference hall.

The Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association is spearheaded by Dr. Calvin Choi, lead promoter and founding Chairman. The joint promoters include Hong Kong Youth Association, Greater Bay Area Young Entrepreneurs Association (“GBYEA”), Deloitte China, 36Kr, Zebras, Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong, FinStep Asia, and Regional Banks + Strategic Cooperation Alliance etc.

Guests of honours for the launch included Mr. Yang Chengwei, Deputy Director General of the Hong Kong Island Sub-Office of the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Central People's Government; Mr. Song Lai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Central People's Government ; Dr. Bernard Chan, JP, Under-Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of HKSAR Government; Dr. Annie Wu, SBS, JP, co-Chairlady of AMTD Global Advisory Committee; Mr. King Leung, Head of FinTech of Invest Hong Kong of Hong Kong SAR Government; Dr. Timothy Tong, Chairman of AMTD Digital and CEO of AMTD Charity Foundation; and Mr. Dennis Chow, Deloitte China Chairman.

The establishment of the Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association aims to promote young people's financial literacy and interest in fintech, encourage innovative and creative thinking, and foster a young talent pool for the Hong Kong FinTech sector. Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association's mission is to cultivate a new generation of patriotic FinTech talents in Hong Kong, in order to support and sustain Hong Kong’s position as a global financial centre, connect FinTech companies in Hong Kong across different industry sectors, and support Hong Kong’s development as a world-class smart city in the future.

Dr. Calvin Choi, Lead Promoter and Founding Chairman of Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association, Chairman of AMTD Group, Vice Chairman of the China Youth Entrepreneurs Association, Lead Chairman of Hong Kong Youth Association, said: "We are very happy to officially launch the Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association during the Hong Kong FinTech Week. Through this platform, we will guide Hong Kong’s youth to better embrace innovation, creative thinking, appreciation of Hong Kong's strategic positioning and strengths, take full advantage of the Greater Bay Area development potentials, integrate their lives and personal developments seamlessly with Hong Kong's future and deepen their roots in Hong Kong while contributing to our Country. Our Association would strive to nurture a new generation of patriotic fintech talents in Hong Kong who love both our Country and our Hong Kong homeland."

Mr. Yang Chengwei, Deputy Director General of the Hong Kong Island Sub-Office of the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Central People's Government said: "The establishment of the Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association is of great significance and has a promising future, both for grooming talents for the FinTech community, as well as for advancing the youth’s personal developments, growth and integration into the country. We hope that under the leadership of its Founding Chairman, Dr. Calvin Choi, the Association will fully leverage the strengths of AMTD Group, as well as that of all joint promoters, and the wisdom offered by leaders and elites in the financial and technology fields. The Association acts as a platform to foster collaboration, create favourable conditions and pathways for young fintech talents in Hong Kong to grow and develop. At the same time, I hope that Hong Kong youth will continue to work hard, not willing to lag behind others, take advantage of our Country's new era, embrace a new phase of monumental development opportunities in Hong Kong, expand across the world, being rooted in Hong Kong but backed by the motherland, stay innovative and curious, propel the bright development of Hong Kong FinTech industry, and contribute their wisdom and strength to achieve the China national dream."

Mr. Song Lai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Central People's Government, expressed full support to the establishment of Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association. He hoped that under the leadership of Dr. Calvin Choi, Founding Chairman, the Association will provide a broader platform and facilitate more opportunities to support the constructive development of Hong Kong's new generation of young people and propel more innovations and technological advancement.

Dr. Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government said that he was glad to witness the establishment of the Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association, and see how the association helps promote Hong Kong's fintech development amongst young people. While Hong Kong has faced many different problems over the past few years, Dr. Chan said that performance indicators such as GDP, ability to attract talent and investment, number of start-ups launched all demonstrated good momentum which further proves that Hong Kong has recovered well. He further pointed out that the 14th Five-Year Plan supports the financial development of Hong Kong, and cooperation between Hong Kong and China has progressed well, so the industry has a bright future.

King Leung, Head of Fintech at Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said: " In today’s digital economy and innovation era, Hong Kong presents 3 enormous and interrelated opportunities - the GBA, HK’s role in facilitating the internationalisation of our motherland, and most importantly our HK young talent will be our future to realise these opportunities. Congratulations on the official launch of the Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association!"

Professor Witman Hung, JP, Executive Vice Chairman of the Association, Hong Kong Deputy to 13th National People's Congress and Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong, Shenzhen Qianhai Authority , said: "It is a great honour to be here today at the launch ceremony to witness the inauguration of an innovative platform benefiting the future of Hong Kong and its youth. Our Country has created many development opportunities for Hong Kong's youth. Young entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, especially those engaged in FinTech, should leverage these opportunities to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre."

Mr. Robert Lui, Executive Vice Chairman of the Association, Digital Assets Leader and Partner, Deloitte Hong Kong, said: "The Hong Kong Youth FinTech Association aims to lead the industry, and continue to drive the development of fintech in three directions: First, we will actively engage innovative enterprises. Deloitte China, for example, has been working closely with Cyberport and Hong Kong Science Park in recent years to facilitate exchanges between the industry and innovative enterprises. The Association will be a platform for young people to connect and communicate with the outside world. Secondly, to better promote abc support young people's learning and staying awareness in digital development and technological advancements, and jointly explore more innovation opportunities. Thirdly, collect and consolidate all types of opinions across the industry, act as a bridge of communication between the industry and regulatory authorities, and discuss business cooperation with university management and professors, targeting research and development to solve the industry’s pain points, improve the efficiency of financial research, and help young college students to participate in fintech more readily.”