“It is a very exciting time for Hong Kong,” said Dr. Stephen Riady, President of The Lippo Group of Companies.
“With the Government of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative driving regional connectivity, Hong Kong is in an enviable position to capitalize on its rich experiences in international trade, shipping, logistics and professional services.”
The Special Administrative Region’s (SAR) role as an international financial hub will be further strengthened through its ability to provide diversified financing channels to fund ‘One Belt, One Road’ planning, development and infrastructure projects. “Once in motion, tax planning, auditing and financial management will be required as trade and business develops along the various belt and road corridors,” said Dr. Riady.
Of course, Hong Kong already enjoys mutually beneficial ties with its neighbors.
“Hong Kong’s regional partnerships stimulate trade and economic cooperation as exemplified by the SAR’s signing of key free trade and investment agreements with ASEAN in November last year,” said Dr. Riady.
Japan remains an important trade partner for Hong Kong and both enjoy internationally acclaimed health care systems. Life expectancies in Japan and Hong Kong rank among the highest in the world. However, with aging populations and a rising demand for health care services, ‘life-sciences’ have become an increasingly important area of cooperation.
Intending to become a leading Asia health care group, in 2017 Lippo Group acquired two Singapore-listed health care companies. Healthway Medical Corporation Limited manages over 90 clinics and medical centers in Singapore and OUE Lippo Healthcare Limited (formerly International Healthway Corp. Ltd.) which owns and manages 12 nursing homes in Japan and a hospital in China.
In January of this year, Lippo Group established a strategic partnership with Itochu Corporation of Japan with the intention of developing an extensive network across Asia. “With Asia’s rapidly aging population and the growing affluence of people, demand for quality health care is on the rise,” said Dr. Riady.
“We are bringing our strengths to this sector in high-potential, emerging markets across the region.”
With businesses focused on real estate and infrastructure, mineral exploration, food, retail, e-commerce, telecommunications and finance and financial technology (fintech), Lippo Group is well positioned to seize cross-industry investment opportunities.
“We see opportunities for us in the digital economy with fintech and digital payment solutions,” said Dr. Riady.
“With the recent launch of Hong Kong’s seven initiatives to bolster the island’s fintech capabilities and open up a new era of smart banking, these create opportunities for collaboration between the fintech communities of Hong Kong and Japan. This will support innovation and development and spur business opportunities across the region.”
With a proven track record and extensive expertise, Lippo Group will continue to look for areas which present long-term, value-creation opportunities.
“The Lippo brand represents quality, high standards, reliability and consistency; attributes which are required to build trust,” concluded Dr. Riady.
“We are constantly working to ensure our brand values are upheld and our employees understand and deliver the high standards we expect of them. We intend to build on our reputation and track record as we grow our businesses in line with the economic development of the region.”
