HONG KONG, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 13th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) held from Monday to Tuesday in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) aims at examing the current global economic landscape and share insights on the environment businesses in the new year.

The two-day event, themed with "Redefining Growth: Innovation Breakthrough Inclusiveness", touches on a wide range of issues including global economic outlook and opportunities, fintech, sustainable and inclusive development, green finance and financial inclusion, offering participants a head start in identifying new economic challenges and opportunities in 2020.

Speaking at the forum, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam noted that today's economies are exploring growth through innovation and technology while seeking inclusiveness.

"As fintech continues to shake up the financial world, the AFF continues to expand its focus on fintech. This year, we launch the FintechHK Startup Salon, showcasing promising business ideas from fintech startups," Lam said.

"To exemplify our commitment to technology, last year, we issued eight virtual banking licences, as well as two virtual insurer licences. These can spur financial innovation, while boosting customer experience and building financial inclusion."

Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government Paul Chan said that in 2019, Hong Kong again topped the world in fund-raising through IPOs. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report ranked Hong Kong's financial system top in the world, while the World Bank rated the region the third-easiest place to do business.

President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Liqun said the core values of AIIB are lean, clean and green, and the bank is supporting innovative approaches to infrastructure financing.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto shared the country's experience in growth, saying innovative economic policies not only made the country survive the crisis in 2010 but also made it perform better than before.

The AFF is part of the International Financial Week in Hong Kong, which brings together some 16 events ranging from private equity and fund-raising to alternative investment and advertising strategies for financial concerns. A trip to Shenzhen, a neighboring mainland city, is also featured this year, with visits to leading financial services and technology companies there.