The 2008 HKMA Annual Conference was successfully held on 4 November 2008 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and attracted over 360 senior executives. The Conference brought together prominent business leaders and Government officials who shared with participants their invaluable insight under the theme of "SUCCEEDING IN A WORLD-CLASS CITY".

Dr The Hon David K P Li, Chairman of the Association in his Opening Address pointed out that to enhance Hong Kong`s standing as a world-class city requires more than simply building on our success as a hub for financial services, tourism, trade and communications. It requires improving our opportunities for learning, our living environment and our quality of life, in order to sustain a diverse, creative and talented community.

Mr Lawrence Ho, Chairman, Conference Organizing Committee; Chairman and CEO of Melco International Development Ltd addressed participants mentioning that after several year`s of robust growth, Hong Kong`s economy is experiencing a higher inflation and a slackening economy. Worse still, Hong Kong is now facing a global financial tsunami, the impact of which is going to be far-reaching, and no one is sure of its full extent yet.

"In order to meet the challenges ahead and to secure the future prosperity of Hong Kong, it is essential to further enhance Hong Kong`s unique strengths by consolidating its human capitals, revamping its structure and strengthening its market economy. Looking ahead, a truly world-class city can be built upon these solid foundations,"said Mr Ho.

The list of distinguished speakers who attended the conference included the following.

Keynote Speaker

Sir Gordon Ying-Sheung Wu GBS KCMG FICE FCILT HonFHKIE, Chairman, Hopewell Holdings Limited and Hopewell Highway Infrastructure Limited

Session One
Prof Simon Ho, Dean, School of Business, and Director, Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy, Hong Kong Baptist University

Mr Eddy Chan JP, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Innovation and Technology Commission, The Government of the HKSAR

Mr Chi-hung Lin, Chief Executive Officer and President, Altai Technologies Limited

Dr Detlef Reis, Founding Director and Chief Ideator, THINKERGY Limited

Session Two
Prof Howard Davies, Associate Dean, Faculty of Business, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Mr Fred Lam JP, Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Mr James Tien GBS JP, Chairman, Hong Kong Tourism Board

Mr Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited

Session Three
Mr Eddie Ng JP, Chairman, Human Capital Management Consulting Limited

Dr Chan Wing-mui, Helen, IDSM, Assistant Director (Visa & Policies), Immigration Department
The Government of the HKSAR

Mr T C Chan BBS JP, Chairman, HKSAR Advisory Committee on Human Resources
Development in the Financial Services Sector

Session Four
Ir Daniel M Cheng, Managing Director, Dunwell Enviro-Tech (Holdings) Limited

Dr David Bevan, Centre for Research into Sustainability, Royal Holloway University of London

Mr James Y C Kwan JP, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited

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