The 18th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) 2025, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Themed “Powering the Next Growth Engine”, the two-day forum has attracted over 130 global business leaders, policymakers, financial and wealth management experts, entrepreneurs, tech giants and economists as speakers. About 3,600 financial and business elites from over 50 countries and regions are expected to gather and explore how to ignite new engines for growth in 2025 and navigate the challenges ahead.

The forum kicked off with opening remarks by John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, followed by addresses from Zhou Ji, Executive Vice Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China; Dr Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China; and Liu Zhenmin, Special Envoy for Climate Change of the People’s Republic of China.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Dr Peter KN Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, who said: “Future growth will be different to that of the past, as traditional growth models face resource constraints and environmental pressures. Innovations, such as AI, renewable energy, fintech developments and healthcare discoveries, have the potential to power economic growth and enrich human development for decades to come. It is timely that the theme of this year’s Asian Financial Forum, ‘Powering the Next Growth Engine’, addresses these very questions from the perspective of finance and its impacts on broader business communities. The forum will discuss how the finance industry and corporates can support the next generation of innovative businesses and industries to help them unleash their potential and drive global growth in the years ahead.”

The two-day forum presents over 40 sessions ranging from Plenary Sessions, Policy Dialogue, Keynote Luncheons and Breakfast Panel, Fireside Chats, and thematic workshops. Topics included global economic outlook, China opportunities, new markets opportunities, investment outlook, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, sustainability, philanthropy, and more, giving participants a deeper understanding of future opportunities and insights into global economic development.

Discussion session gathers international experts to address global challenges

This year’s forum is dedicated to driving new thinking, strengthening international cooperation and trust, and addressing the global economic landscape in a challenging environment. Plenary Session I – Innovation: The Solution to Unlock the Next Growth Engines, hosted by Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR, brought together finance officials and multilateral organisation leaders to examine financial policies in 2025. Guest speakers included Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyz Republic; Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue of Pakistan; Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg; and Yoshiki Takeuchi, Deputy Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Plenary Session II – Collaboration: The Road to Growth and Prosperity focused on international cooperation and was also moderated by Christopher Hui. The panel speakers included Roberta Casali, Vice-President of Finance and Risk Management of the Asian Development Bank; Jin Liqun, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); and Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They explored ways to rebuild trust and deepen partnerships amid global challenges to achieve shared growth and common prosperity.

A Policy Dialogue session, Accelerating Growth through Innovation, was moderated by Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Speakers included Bayardavaa Bayarsaikhan, Director General of the Monetary Policy Department of the Bank of Mongolia; Philip Lane, Chief Economist and Member of Executive Board of the European Central Bank; Rogelio V. Quevedo, Commissioner of Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines; and Dr Olli Rehn, Governor of the Bank of Finland. They exchanged valuable insights on issues such as global monetary policy trends and the impact of geopolitical factors on markets, helping businesses and organisations better navigate uncertainty and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

High calibre economists discuss economic growth strategies at today’s Keynote Luncheon 

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Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, gave his welcome remarks at today’s Keynote Luncheon. Prof Justin Lin Yifu, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank (2008-2012), delivered a keynote speech that addressed strategies for achieving stable economic growth. A dialogue session was moderated by Prof Richard Wong, Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy and Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong.

Exploring the global outlook, opportunities in China and avenues for cooperation

One of the highlights of the afternoon session, the Global Economic Outlook discussion, was kicked off by Liu Haoling, Vice Chairman and President and Chief Investment Officer of the China Investment Corporation with a special address. The panel discussion was moderated by Victor Chu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Eastern Investment Group, with speakers including Ernesto Torres Cantú, Member of Executive Management Team and Head of International of Citi; Bonnie Y Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; J Christopher Donahue, President and Chief Executive Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc; Antoine Gosset-Grainville, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AXA; and Dr Fred Hu, Founder and Chairman of Primavera Capital Group. The participants shared valuable insights on the drivers for global economic growth.

Another well-received panel discussion at last year’s AFF, the China Opportunities session, was joined by some heavyweight speakers, including Charles Li, Founder and Chairman, Micro Connect; Li Yimei, Chief Executive Officer of China Asset Management; Ken Wong, Executive Vice President of Lenovo and President of Lenovo Solutions and Services Group; and Wilson Zhang, Managing Director, Global Executive Head of Equities, China International Capital Corporation Limited. They delved into the potential of the Chinese market and investment prospects under the country’s commitment to technological innovation.

The green economy and sustainable development are among the key topics at this year’s forum. Corporates worldwide are actively undergoing a green transformation as regulators introduce relevant policies. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) published its first international sustainability disclosure standards, providing clear guidance for the green transition and sustainable development of corporates. In the meantime, corporates in Hong Kong will fully align the ISSB’s sustainability disclosure standards from this year. Sue Lloyd, Vice Chair of the ISSB, will join other speakers to share the latest progress in sustainability reporting standards.

Meanwhile, the HKTDC with AFF Knowledge Partner EY jointly conducted a survey exploring the perspectives and practices of Asian corporations and investors with regard to readiness to sustainability reporting, sustainable finance and climate change. The survey results were released today. Jack Chan, EY China Chairman and EY Greater China Regional Managing Partner, said the survey shared that an increasing number of businesses and investors are considering integrating sustainability into their operations, but barriers persist due to the lack of clearly defined frameworks and accessible resources. The survey also offers actionable insights and recommendations for companies looking to embark on a path toward sustainable development.

Global investment matchmaking and diverse exhibition zones

As one of the highlights of the forum, AFF Deal-making continues to offer an efficient one-on-one matching platform to project owners and investors. This year it has attracted over 270 investors and over 560 investment projects, covering a wide spectrum of sectors such as environment, energy and environmental technology, food and agritech, health tech, fintech, and deep tech. The Deal-making session helps foster active global collaboration and generate new business opportunities.

Diverse exhibition zones foster innovation and cross-border collaboration

This year’s AFF exhibition attracted over 140 fintech companies, start-ups and investment promotion agencies from around the world that are striving to stage an innovative and investment-driven grand financial event.

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A variety of exhibition zones are featured, including the Fintech Showcase, Fintech HK Startup Salon, the InnoVenture Salon and Global Investment Zone. The InnoVenture Salon offered a platform for over 100 start-ups to showcase the application of innovative technologies across different sectors, of which the Fintech HK Startup Salon has brought together over 60 fintech start-ups, featuring cutting-edge solutions from 22 countries and regions and helping to highlight Hong Kong’s potential as a powerhouse for innovation and technology. The Global Investment Zone connects participants with business opportunities from different countries and regions.

Sharing advanced insights into exploring emerging markets

The session tomorrow offers a wide array of topics, including an exploration of the impact of AI on the financial industry. Prof Stuart Russell, Co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on AI, and Dr Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman of Sinovation Ventures, will deliver remarks at the Keynote Luncheon and Dialogues for Tomorrow respectively, exploring the development and opportunities that AI offers for the future of workforce, investors and businesses from different perspectives.

The Forum and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) co-host the Gulf Cooperation Council Chapter tomorrow, making its debut this year. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR, and Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, will deliver keynote remarks. Financial officials and representatives of financial institutions from Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will join industry leaders from Hong Kong to discuss the economic development of Gulf countries and the potential for financial cooperation with Hong Kong.

Additionally, the CIO Insights session, moderated by Albert Goh, Chief Investment Officer (External Managers), Exchange Fund Investment Office, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, panelists will share their views on asset allocation plans, maintaining investment convictions, and the opportunities emerging across the wider region and beyond. The session will bring together representatives from internationally renowned large corporations and family office, including Vincent Mortier, Group Chief Investment Officer of Amundi; Bei Saville, Chief Investment Officer, Treasury and Fingerboard Family Office, Advance; Manraj Sekhon, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments; and Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo, Partner, Managing Director, and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Solutions of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

With environmental, social and governance (ESG) now playing a larger role in the development of businesses, Asia needs to look at achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement over the next 30 years. COP29 this year have reinforced the global trend towards a green and low-carbon transition. In a session titled Dialogues for Tomorrow – Asia Dialogue on Post COP29 Implementation: Enhance Climate Ambition and Enable Financing Action, Liu Zhenmin, Special Envoy for Climate Change of the People’s Republic of China, will explore innovative financing mechanisms and collaboration opportunities with several leading experts to advance climate initiatives, as well as strategies to strengthen commitments and cooperation on climate goals. Additionally, Joe Tsai, Chairman of the Alibaba Group, will join the Global Spectrum session analysed the role of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy in supporting start-ups and social enterprises from a macro perspective.

For the latest edition of the AFF, the event has collaborated with several organisations to offer special discounts and privileges for travel, dining and shopping, encouraging participants to make the most of their stay in Hong Kong and experience the city’s vitality. Activities offered to visitors include the Peak Tram and Sky Terrace experience, the Aqua Luna Victoria Harbour Cruise, visits to Man Mo Temple and Tai Kwun, dining discounts in Lan Kwai Fong, access to the Winter Wonderland at Happy Valley Racecourse’s Happy Wednesday, and a dining discount provided by Lei Garden. The goal is to give overseas participants a deeper understanding of Hong Kong, promote the conference and mega event economy, and tell positive stories about the city.

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STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Trillium Flow Technologies (“Trillium”), a portfolio company of First Reserve, and a global designer, manufacturer, and aftermarket services provider of highly engineered valves and pumps used in critical infrastructure sectors such as nuclear power, water, wastewater, and industrial processing, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its refinancing in December 2024.

The refinancing provides Trillium with extended maturity, enhanced liquidity, improved terms, and increased flexibility to support further M&A activity.

Kerem Yilmaz, Chief Financial Officer of Trillium, commented: “We are pleased to cap a successful 2024 with this significant milestone and to enter 2025 with strong momentum. We are excited about our new credit facility, which is led by funds managed by Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”). We would also like to thank JP Morgan and BDTMSD for their continued commitment and support of our business. This refinancing positions us well to execute our organic growth strategy, which includes investing in innovation and operational excellence to better serve our customers. We aim to remain active in M&A as a leading player in the flow control industry.”

Matt Tier, Managing Director at Blue Owl, said: “Trillium has a long and successful track record as a global supplier and aftermarket service provider of mission-critical valves and pumps used in a variety of industries. We are excited to welcome Trillium as borrower in our direct lending portfolio and look forward to supporting Doug, Kerem and the rest of the leadership team as they execute on their growth strategy for the business in the years to come.”

Doug Kitani, Chief Executive Officer of Trillium, said: “I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to our finance team, equity partner First Reserve, and our lead lender, Blue Owl, for their support throughout this successful refinancing, and I especially want to recognize our employees for their exceptional performance in 2024. This milestone reflects our collective dedication and positions Trillium for continued innovation, growth, and leadership in the global flow control industry.”

About Trillium Flow Technologies
Trillium Flow Technologies is a global designer, manufacturer, and aftermarket services provider specializing in highly engineered valves, pumps, and related products. Serving customers in critical infrastructure industries, Trillium is committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance reliability, safety, and efficiency.

For more information, visit: www.trilliumflow.com.

About Blue Owl
Blue Owl (NYSE: OWL) is a leading asset manager that is redefining alternatives.

With $235 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024, we invest across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, GP Strategic Capital, and Real Estate. Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, we provide businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation.

Together with over 1,050 experienced professionals, Blue Owl brings the vision and discipline to create the exceptional. To learn more, visit www.blueowl.com.

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About First Reserve:
First Reserve is a leading global private equity firm investing across diversified energy, utility, and industrial end-markets. Founded in 1983, First Reserve has more than 40 years of industry insight and has cultivated a differentiated network of global relationships. The firm has raised over $34 billion of aggregate capital and has developed operational expertise built from over 750 transactions, including platform investments and add-on acquisitions. For more information, visit www.firstreserve.com.

Media Contact
Chris Molineaux
Global Marketing and Communications Director, Trillium Flow Technologies
media@trilliumflow.com

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SINGAPORE, Jan. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Platform tokens have gained increased attention in this bull market, with notable examples from leading exchanges. Amid this surge, WXT, the native token of WEEX Exchange, has seen extraordinary growth, climbing 101% within 24 hours on January 11.

Token	BGB	OKB	BNB	MX	WXT
Opening Price	$0.0585	$1.58 Advertisement	$0.15	$0.009157	$0.0100
Price One Year Ago	$0.6002	$53.55	$302.07	$2.7978	N/A
Current Price Advertisement	$6.73	$46.66	$681.33	$3.60	$0.0333
Year-To-Date Growth	1021.29 %	-12.87 %	125.55 %	22.28 % Advertisement	N/A
All-Time High Price Change	14412.82 %	4572.78 %	5288 %	63785.55 %	233 %
Market Cap	$8.08B	$13.99B Advertisement	$98.11B	$3.6B	$83.19M
Citation: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/weex-token/

This development coincides with WEEX’s ongoing global expansion. As a rapidly growing cryptocurrency exchange, WEEX continues to increase its presence in the competitive marketplace, with WXT emerging as an integral part of its ecosystem.

This surge comes as WEEX, continues to expand its global presence. WXT’s price trajectory reflects the growing influence of WEEX in the competitive cryptocurrency market.

WXT: Reflecting WEEX’s Rapid Growth

As Andrew Weiner, Vice President of WEEX, highlighted in a recent annual update, “WXT has achieved a price increase of nearly 450% since its issuance. And WXT’s trajectory mirrors WEEX’s incredible journey of growth.”

To further enhance its global outreach, WEEX has partnered with renowned football star Michael Owen as a brand ambassador. This collaboration aims to build increased brand visibility, positioning WEEX as a widespread and innovative platform in the cryptocurrency space.

According to the WEEX white paper, WXT’s ecosystem offers diverse utilities for its holders, including trading fee discounts, staking rewards, early access to new projects, and participation in airdrops. Additionally, WEEX has implemented a strategic buyback and burn mechanism, reducing WXT’s circulating supply as part of its ecosystem development strategy. These features position WXT as a multifunctional token that appeals to both active traders and long-term participants within the ecosystem.

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Exchange Tokens and Their Growing Potential

This bull market has further cemented the role of platform tokens as integral components of exchange ecosystems. Platform tokens have shown their ability to enhance user engagement by offering features such as fee adjustments and access to platform-specific benefits. As WXT gains momentum, how will it evolve within the ecosystem and shape its role in the platform token landscape? While its recent performance is promising, only time will tell if WXT can achieve the same level of success as its peers.

About WEEX

Founded in 2018, WEEX Exchange swiftly rose to prominence as a key global player in the cryptocurrency sphere. Boasting a diverse selection of over 1,000 trading pairs and spearheading a zero trading fee initiative for new token introductions, WEEX Exchange has earned widespread recognition throughout the industry. Introducing “WEEX WE-Launch,” a portal to exciting opportunities that empower users to acquire WXT tokens and engage in exclusive token giveaways, signaling a new chapter of participation and empowerment. With an active user base exceeding 5 million, WEEX Exchange has solidified its standing as a top 5 platform on CoinMarketCap, underscoring its unwavering commitment to excellence.

For more information:

• Website: WEEX Exchange

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