Thai Vice Minister, In Hong Kong For The Asia Financial Forum, Visits ASTRI | ASTRI - Hong Kong Applied Science And Technology Research Institute Company Limited

A Thai delegation of public and private sector representatives led by the Kingdom’s Vice Minister for Finance Mr Kiatchai Sophastienphong visited ASTRI on Tuesday, 17 January 2017. Dr Frank Tong Fuk-kay, ASTRI CEO, welcomed the delegates upon their arrival at the institute and provided them with a strategic overview of ASTRI’s R&D and endeavours and technology focus.

The delegation took keen interest in ASTRI’s technology initiatives and R&D facilities especially in the area of Financial Technology (FinTech). The Minister, along with is his entourage, visited the ASTRI Security Lab, Cyber Range Lab, and ASTRI-HKMA Innovation Hub. They witnessed demonstrations of applications developed by ASTRI, that use technologies like Blockchain, facial recognition, behavioural authentication, deep learning, big data, and AI-driven smart investment.

Mr Sophastienphong has led the third high-level Thai delegation to ASTRI in recent times, after senior leaders from the Electronic Transactions Development Agency of Thailand and the country’s central bank ‘Bank of Thailand’ visited the institute in the last quarter of 2016.

The Vice Minister, and most members of the delegation, are in the City to attend the ongoing Asia Financial Forum (AFF) 2017 that’s took place here on 16-17 January 2017. In addition, this year’s AFF event, where some 100 global financial experts explored the theme “Asia: Driving Change, Innovation and Connectivity”, was attended by members of governments, financial and business leaders, policymakers, investors and high net-worth individuals from across Asia and around the world. FinTech – the opportunities and the challenges brought along with it – occupied a prominent space in the topics and discussions throughout the two days of AFF 2017.

The speakers and panellists shared insights into global economic trends, technological developments, as well as investment opportunities in Asia for the coming year. The opening session was attended, among others, by Mr CY Leung, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR; Professor KC Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury; and Mr Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council. At the opening ceremony of the event, Mr CY Leung mentioned The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, together with ASTRI – the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Institute – has set up a Fintech Innovation Hub for testing industry-wide Fintech solutions.