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Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the theme of “Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape”, the AFF welcomed more than 150 distinguished speakers from around the world.

A new Global Business Summit was held throughout day-two of the AFF yesterday, to further integrate finance with key industries and drive innovation and economic development.

Co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, the summit explored how finance empowers businesses. It also examined how Hong Kong can support Chinese Mainland enterprises to “go global”, and the prospects for foreign enterprises entering the Mainland market.

In his opening remarks at the summit, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, highlighted trade, finance and innovation and technology as the three principal drivers of future economic growth.

“Hong Kong is not just a platform that connects capital, market, projects, talent and opportunity. Hong Kong is willing to be a strategic partner to help you grow, scale up and go global,” Mr Chan said.

On building a more vibrant tech ecosystem, Mr Chan said the HKSAR Government is determined to attract the world’s leading frontier-technology enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

“We welcome technology and industrial enterprises to establish a presence in the Northern Metropolis. Where justified, we are prepared to tailor incentive packages, which may include land grants, premium concessions, tax incentives and other facilitation measures. Everything is negotiable,” he said.

Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, in his welcome remarks at the summit, said: “In these unpredictable times, working together on shared goals adds to the agility and resilience of our economies, our industries and businesses, and our communities. Hong Kong, under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, is perfectly suited to host these conversations and promote cross-sector collaboration, as a super connector, super value-adder and super collaborator.”

A series of plenary sessions held during the summit included the Business Plenary I – Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global, and Business Plenary II – Strategic Collaboration for Shared Growth, focusing on the latest opportunities in global market expansion and inbound foreign investment.

The Global Business Summit also featured a series of discussion sessions covering high‑growth, high‑value sectors, including biomedicine and healthcare, green energy, new consumer trends, artificial intelligence and robotics.

Speakers included representatives of prominent enterprises in the respective fields, such as Banking Circle, Infineon AG, Investcorp, JP Morgan, Revolut, Triton Partners, Amgen, Merck, DexForce Technology, JD.com, Pictet Group, AI² Robotics, Galbot and Tencent.

Paul Polman, a business leader, investor and philanthropist who is dedicated to advocating for systemic change, climate action, and social equality, delivered the Keynote Luncheon speech (January 27). He shared his “Net Positive” corporate sustainability strategy, which he has championed in recent years, focusing on advancing sustainable development.

Meanwhile, this year’s AFF Deal-making session, co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, attracted over 280 investors and over 600 investment projects, resulting in more than 800 one-on-one meetings that successfully connected global capital with investment opportunities.

The AFF also marked the start of this year’s International Financial Week, featuring14 industry events that span a wide range of globally watched financial and business topics, including ASEAN opportunities, digital finance, green finance, family offices, private equity and alternative investments. Together, these events underscore Hong Kong’s unique role as the region’s most comprehensive and diversified international financial centre.

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AI-related Attacks and Supply Chain Risks Emerge as Top Concerns Nearly 30% of Enterprises Lack Dedicated Cybersecurity Personnel

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2026 – The Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), today hosted a media briefing to officially release the annual “Hong Kong Cybersecurity Outlook 2026”. The report reveals that cyberattacks have become more automated, targeted, and destructive with the rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, posing significant threats to business operations and information security. A record high 15,877 cybersecurity incidents were recorded in Hong Kong in 2025, marking a 27% year-on-year increase. The report also highlights five key cybersecurity risks expected to emerge in 2026, mainly under AI-related threats and supply chain vulnerabilities.

HKCERT also released the findings of the “Hong Kong Enterprise Cybersecurity Landscape”, which analyses the current state of local enterprises’ cybersecurity defences and resource allocation in the face of cyber risks. The study covered 622 enterprises (including 544 SMEs and 78 large enterprises) and interviewed 50 cybersecurity service providers to assess the key factors businesses consider when selecting cybersecurity services. The findings reveal that nearly 70% of enterprises have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, showing the increasing importance local businesses place on cybersecurity. Many SMEs have also begun strengthening their security measures, demonstrating a proactive awareness of cyber threats. However, they were behind large enterprises in terms of technology deployment and resource allocation. Moreover, around 35% of businesses using AI would enter corporate data into AI tools, suggesting that there is still room for improvement in local overall defence capabilities and AI governance awareness.

Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, stated, “The proliferation of AI can drive innovation, but it can also become a powerful tool for hackers, making cyber threats stealthier and more scalable. Our report indicates a lack of governance in corporate use of AI tools. In particular, the limited resources and knowledge of SMEs may limit their full understanding of the potential risks involved. Moreover, supply chain attacks have become the weakest link in enterprise security, where a single vendor’s vulnerability can trigger a chain reaction of crises, even if the enterprises have robust protective measures. To address these challenges, enterprises must shift from passive response to proactive deployment, starting with establishing clear AI usage guidelines and audit mechanisms, and deeply integrating them into the overall cybersecurity strategy”.

Overview of Cybersecurity Incidents in 2025:

Phishing Accounts for Nearly 60% – Record-High Number of Cases

According to the latest statistics from HKCERT, a total of 15,877 cybersecurity incidents were reported in 2025, marking a new record high. Among them, phishing attacks remained the most prominent threat, accounting for nearly 60% (57%) of total cases. The rise of generative AI has made phishing messages increasingly realistic and harder to detect, further amplifying the associated risks. Attack delivery methods have expanded beyond traditional email to social media or instant messaging platforms (such as WhatsApp) (34%) and cryptocurrency platforms (18%).

In parallel, cases involving vulnerable systems also saw a sharp increase, with 2,328 incidents (15%), representing a more than 3.5-fold rise compared to the previous year. This suggests that attackers are actively exploiting misconfigurations and unpatched system vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, botnet-related incidents remained steady at 18%. While stable in number, botnets are notoriously difficult to eradicate completely, representing a long-term latent threat.

Top 5 Cybersecurity Risks in 2026

Based on industry expert analysis and HKPC’s ongoing research into the local business environment, and considering industry trends and technological developments, HKCERT predicts that the following five cybersecurity risks will pose significant challenges to businesses in 2026:

1. AI-Driven Attacks and Agentic AI Risks
2. Weak AI Governance of Enterprises Increases Data Leakage Risks
3. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Third-Party Security Gaps
4. Over-Reliance on Cloud Infrastructure Creates Single Points of Failure
5. Emerging Threats from AI-Enabled Devices

30% of Enterprises Lack Dedicated Cybersecurity Staff, SMEs Lag in Defense and Investment

“The Hong Kong Enterprise Cybersecurity Landscape” reveals nearly 70% of enterprises have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, showing the increasing importance place on cybersecurity. By company size, 67% of SMEs have personnel responsible for cybersecurity, and 95% of large enterprises do. Among them, 26% of SMEs have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, which is lower than the 59% of large enterprises, reflecting different challenges in resource allocation and professional support for companies of different sizes.

Many SMEs have already implemented basic protective measures, such as 48% of SMEs have adopted email security, but there is still room for improvement when compared to the 79% of large enterprises. For Privileged Access Management (PAM), 29% of SMEs are employed, which is still lower than 60% of large enterprises. The figure on using Advanced cybersecurity practices, such as Remote Access Security Measures (SMEs 31% vs 67%), also reflects that SMEs still need support in promoting technological upgrades, especially when data security is increasingly important today, the protection of SMEs of all sizes cannot be ignored.

Regarding investment and resource allocation, SMEs are generally cautious in their investment, but some companies have gradually increased their investment in cybersecurity and training. In the past year 13% of SMEs increased cybersecurity-related resources (including staff and tools), and 12% invested more resources in cybersecurity training. In comparison, the proportions for large enterprises were 41% and 50%, respectively. Looking ahead to the next 12 months, SMEs are relatively conservative in their plans for increasing resources — no matter in recruitment of cybersecurity personnel (SMEs 5% vs 15%), training (SMEs 13% vs 38%) and budget (SMEs 13% vs 36%). However, as cyber threats evolve, it is believed that enterprises will gradually increase their related investments to strengthen their overall defense capabilities.

HKCERT’s Five Key Recommendations: Helping Enterprises Build Effective Cyber Defenses

HKCERT has outlined five key recommendations to help enterprises strengthen their cybersecurity posture:

1. Assigning Personnel for Cybersecurity: Enterprises should assign employees with basic cybersecurity knowledge to be responsible for daily monitoring and response work, with clear division of responsibilities to ensure timely response to emergencies.
2. Promoting AI Governance and Regulation: As the application of AI tools and third-party platforms becomes increasingly widespread, enterprises should formulate relevant policies and operational guidelines, clearly specifying the available tools and scope of data input, as well as procedures for responding to third-party incidents, to minimise operational and reputational risks.
3. Collaborative Efforts of All Staff to Prevent Phishing Attacks: Enterprises should adopt both technical measures (such as email filtering and multi‑factor authentication) and an organisation‑wide security culture to jointly defend against phishing attacks. This helps enhance each employee’s ability to identify suspicious emails and links, thereby reducing the risk of data leakage.
4. Enhance Cybersecurity Awareness and Training across all Staff: Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across the entire organisation. Enterprises should regularly provide targeted security training for different departments—especially for roles that handle sensitive data—and strengthen incident response capabilities through simulation exercises and case‑based learning to reduce human error.
5. Strengthen Technical Protection Measures: Enterprises should implement essential cybersecurity technologies, including:
   • Email security and access‑rights control
   • Data protection measures (such as encryption and backup)
   • Remote access security measures mechanisms (such as VPNs and identity authentication)
   • Proactive security solutions (such as intrusion detection and firewall monitoring)

As cyber threats grow increasingly complex and attack techniques become more advanced, enabling SMEs to effectively deploy cybersecurity defences has become a shared responsibility across society. In addition to operating a 24-hour incident reporting and supporting hotline, HKCERT continuously monitors local online activities. When cyberattacks targeting Hong Kong are detected, it proactively traces and disrupts the source and issues timely public alerts. In recent years, HKCERT has also leveraged self‑developed AI systems to take down phishing websites in advance, preventing incidents before they occur. To strengthen preventive measures and promote education among SMEs, HKCERT has published multiple security guidelines addressing emerging technology risks, helping technical personnel understand and adopt appropriate protection strategies. At the same time, HKCERT actively promotes cybersecurity awareness through a dedicated webpage on in‑depth analysis of major phishing and ransomware attacks, as well as by organising large‑scale public events and participating in over 30 seminars annually.

Since last year, HKCERT further acted as a bridge between SMEs and cybersecurity service providers to launch the Cybersecurity Service Providers Connect Programme with Digital Policy Office. The Programme offers a one-stop platform that brings together 21 vetted cybersecurity service providers, covering four key areas, including Internet Security Solutions, Cybersecurity Assessment Services, Managed Security and Incident Response Services, and Cybersecurity Training Services. It helps SMEs quickly identify suitable solutions and strengthen their cyber defence capabilities. The Programme will continue to enhance its services, promote resource sharing, and collaborate with the industry to build a safer digital business environment.

Hashtag: #HKCERT

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About Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre

Managed by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) is the centre for coordination of computer security incident response for local enterprises and Internet Users. Its missions are to facilitate information disseminating, provide advices on preventive measures against security threats and to promote information security awareness.

HKCERT collaborates with local bodies to collect and disseminate information, and coordinate response actions. HKCERT is also a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT). We exchange information with other CERTs and act as a point of contact on cross-border security incidents.

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.

Ottawa and New Delhi are preparing for a high-level visit in March by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with negotiations entering an advanced stage on a cluster of agreements covering uranium supply, clean energy cooperation, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. Officials familiar with the talks say the visit is being positioned as a reset in economic engagement after a period of diplomatic strain, with both sides keen to lock in commercially binding deals that reflect shifting global supply chains and technology priorities.

The centrepiece of the expected package is an expansion of civil nuclear cooperation, anchored in long-term uranium supply contracts. Canada is among the world’s largest producers of uranium, while India has been seeking diversified and reliable fuel sources to support its nuclear power programme, which is projected to grow sharply over the next decade. Negotiators have been working to streamline regulatory clearances and pricing mechanisms to give utilities and suppliers greater certainty, while ensuring safeguards and compliance obligations are met.

Energy cooperation is set to extend beyond nuclear. Talks have included collaboration on clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and grid-scale renewable integration. Canadian firms bring experience in cold-climate energy systems, advanced storage and emissions management, while India offers scale, manufacturing depth and ambitious deployment targets. Officials describe the approach as moving from memoranda of understanding towards projects with defined investment timelines and joint development structures.

Critical minerals form another pillar of the discussions. Canada’s reserves of lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths are increasingly viewed as strategic assets as governments seek alternatives to concentrated supply routes. India, pushing to build domestic battery and electronics manufacturing capacity, has been exploring offtake agreements, joint exploration and downstream processing partnerships. The proposed framework is designed to align mineral extraction with environmental and community standards, while enabling long-term supply security for manufacturers.

Artificial intelligence cooperation has emerged as a newer, fast-moving track. Policymakers on both sides have been weighing arrangements that combine Canada’s research ecosystem and talent pipeline with India’s large-scale data capabilities and application-driven innovation. Areas under discussion include healthcare diagnostics, climate modelling, financial services and public-sector digital infrastructure. Officials have emphasised the need for guardrails on data governance, intellectual property and ethical use, reflecting growing global scrutiny of AI deployment.

Trade officials say the March visit, if confirmed as planned, would also provide political momentum to broader commercial ties. Bilateral trade has grown steadily over the past decade but remains below potential, particularly in high-value manufacturing and services. Business groups in both countries have been urging clearer pathways for investment approvals, mobility of skilled professionals and dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce friction for companies operating across jurisdictions.

Bangkok will host Wiki Finance Expo Thailand 2026 in April, positioning the Thai capital as a focal point for discussions on financial technology, digital assets and Web3 innovation across Southeast Asia. The event is scheduled to take place at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, bringing together industry executives, policymakers, investors and technology developers at a time when the region’s digital finance ecosystem is expanding at pace.

The expo is expected to draw thousands of participants from Asia, the Middle East and Europe, reflecting Bangkok’s growing role as a neutral convening hub for global fintech dialogue. Organisers have indicated that the programme will centre on payments innovation, decentralised finance, blockchain infrastructure, digital asset regulation and the integration of artificial intelligence into financial services. These themes mirror broader shifts in global finance, where traditional institutions and technology-driven platforms are increasingly intersecting.

Thailand’s selection as host underscores the country’s strategic importance within Southeast Asia’s fintech landscape. Bangkok already serves as a base for regional operations of banks, digital payment firms and cryptocurrency exchanges, supported by a large consumer market with high smartphone penetration and rising adoption of cashless payments. Regional analysts note that Southeast Asia’s fintech sector has moved beyond experimentation, with platforms scaling rapidly across borders in areas such as e-wallets, buy-now-pay-later services and tokenised assets.

Wiki Finance Expo has established itself as a travelling forum, with earlier editions held in cities including Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Thailand edition is expected to build on that track record by offering a mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions and business matchmaking sessions. Industry leaders from blockchain firms, digital asset custodians, payment processors and trading platforms are likely to outline strategies for navigating regulatory complexity while pursuing growth in emerging markets.

A central focus of the Bangkok gathering will be Web3, an area attracting increasing interest from both venture capital and established financial institutions. Developers are using blockchain-based architectures to reimagine trading, lending and data ownership, while governments across Asia are assessing how to balance innovation with consumer protection. Participants are expected to debate how decentralised technologies can coexist with existing financial systems rather than replace them outright.

Regulation is set to be another major thread. Southeast Asian jurisdictions have taken varied approaches to digital assets, ranging from proactive licensing frameworks to tighter restrictions on retail participation. Thailand has introduced structured oversight for digital asset businesses, aiming to reduce systemic risk while allowing innovation to continue. Discussions at the expo are expected to explore how clearer regulatory pathways can attract institutional capital and encourage responsible product development.

The event also comes as cross-border payments remain a priority for the region. High remittance flows, driven by labour mobility and trade, have highlighted inefficiencies in legacy systems. Fintech firms are increasingly promoting blockchain-based settlement and real-time payment networks as solutions. Panels in Bangkok are expected to examine whether these technologies can achieve scale while meeting compliance and security requirements.

Beyond policy and technology, the expo is positioned as a commercial platform. Start-ups will have opportunities to pitch to investors, while established companies can seek partnerships or market entry strategies. Organisers have emphasised the importance of connecting global capital with Southeast Asian innovation, particularly as funding patterns shift towards projects with clearer revenue models and regulatory alignment.

Tourism and hospitality stakeholders in Bangkok are also expected to benefit from the influx of international delegates. Large-scale business events have become an important segment of the city’s post-pandemic recovery strategy, complementing leisure tourism. Hosting a high-profile fintech expo aligns with efforts to brand Bangkok not only as a travel destination but also as a regional business and technology centre.