More than 900 business leaders and professionals took part in a webinar today to strengthen partnerships in trade, investment, professional services and technology between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Jointly held by the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong, the Riding Ups & Downs: Hong Kong-Indonesia Partnership webinar also explored business opportunities of the Mainland's overseas Economic & Trade Cooperation Zones (ETCZs) in Indonesia for Hong Kong businesses.

Addressing the event, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that governments of both places are sparing no effort to combat COVID-19 and that it is important for economic partners to join hands to ride over the storm.

She said: “Such partnerships and mutual support are at the centre of the Belt & Road Initiative, which continues to make progress despite COVID-19.

“As President Xi Jinping pointed out in his message to the High-level Video Conference on Belt & Road International Cooperation held in June, be it in taming the virus or in achieving economic recovery, we cannot succeed without solidarity, co-operation, and multilateralism.

“The right approach to tackling global crises and realising long-term development is through greater connectivity, openness, and inclusiveness, and this is where Belt & Road international co-operation can make a big difference.

"Looking ahead, after we have overcome COVID-19, I believe the digital economy, and innovation and technology in general will bring fresh opportunities for Hong Kong and Indonesian business co-operation."

The webinar was part of the government-to-government collaboration initiatives to explore ways of capturing business opportunities under the new normal and enhancing people-to-people bonds in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak.

It also featured a panel discussion session and a presentation on Indonesia's ETCZs.