What does the future hold for Hong Kong ship finance and the law?
Maritime players seeking an optimal place to operate or facilitate their businesses are keen to understand the implications of the recent changes in the territory
Despite the recent political upheaval, no one should underestimate Hong Kong’s capability to retain its standing as a top-class financial and legal services hub for shipping
THERE can be no doubt that Hong Kong is facing several challenges when it comes to maintaining its role as a major shipping and financial hub, from the recent imposition of the national security law, to being caught in the middle of simmering US–China tensions, and having its prominence gradually reduced by the rise of other regional maritime centres.
However, progress has recently been made to overcome these difficulties and make the territory more attractive. Among these are a new local tax regime for ship leasing and the inclusion of Hong Kong as a named arbitration venue by BIMCO.
It also has many desirable attributes for businesses: a highly developed banking sector and light regulation, a well-established judicial system based on English common law, a deep talent pool of professionals from many nationalities, as well as worldwide recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards.
Maritime players seeking an optimal place to operate or facilitate their businesses are keen to understand the implications of the recent changes in the territory — both the opportunities and the risks.
The Lloyd’s List Hong Kong Ship Finance & Law Forum, taking place on November 24, will gather a panel of leading financial and legal experts in Hong Kong’s maritime sector to share their knowledge on these issues and more.
Among the questions being asked will be:
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What lies behind Hong Kong’s tax incentive policy for ship leasing, and what are the implications for shipping lenders and borrowers?
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Can Hong Kong continue to call itself a neutral ground for dispute resolution?
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How will China’s “dual circulation” economic development strategy impact Hong Kong’s position as a global financial and legal services centre?
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What fresh opportunities might emerge for shipping?
Moderated by Lloyd’s List’s China Editor Cichen Shen, the expert panel consists of:
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Hing Chao, Executive Chairman, Wah Kwong
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Bill Guo, Executive Director of Shipping, ICBC Financial Leasing
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Edward Liu, Legal Director, Hill Dickinson Hong Kong
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Benjamin Wong, Head of Maritime Cluster, InvestHK
For more information and to register, please follow this link.