Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today promoted Hong Kong's legal services as he continued a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of a tour of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

Mr Lam met Deputy President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia Ng Yih Pyng this morning to learn more about the country's need for cross-jurisdictional legal services, and briefed him on Hong Kong's diversified professional services.

He then received a lunch briefing from Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia Bilal Parvaiz, gaining a better understanding of Malaysia's business landscape and the demand from its financial sector for legal and dispute resolution services.

That was followed by a meeting with Vice-President of the Malaysian Bar Anand Raj, which entailed a discussion about legal co-operation and exchanges between Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Mr Lam also took the opportunity to visit the Malaysian International Mediation Centre, which was launched in January under the auspices of the Malaysian Bar Council.

In addition, he met Chief Executive Officer of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Almalena Sharmila Johan to learn about its provision of institutional support for domestic and international arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Upon arriving in Kuala Lumpur yesterday afternoon, Mr Lam had a meeting with Attorney General of Malaysia Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin bin Mohd Salleh.

He also met representatives from Malaysia's legal and business sectors at a seminar titled Hong Kong: The Common Law Gateway for Malaysian Businesses to China and Beyond. This was followed by an evening networking reception co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Jakarta and the National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia.

Attendees were briefed on various topics, including Hong Kong's unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, and its latest lawtech services for resolving cross-border disputes.

During the seminar, Mr Lam witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), facilitated by the DoJ, between the South China International Arbitration Center (HK) and the AIAC, and a supplementary MoU between the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the AIAC.

Yesterday's itinerary ended with a dinner meeting between Mr Lam and Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said.

Mr Lam will conclude his ASEAN tour and return to Hong Kong tomorrow.