More than 300 Mainland officials, entrepreneurs and key players in the financial-services sector will take part in a forum in Hong Kong on March 23.

The event, to be opened by Chief Executive Donald Tsang, will promote regional co-operation, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau says. Financial-services experts will share their views and insights on areas covering equity market financing, private equity investment, asset management and bond financing.

Monetary Authority Chief Executive Joseph Yam and Executive Councillor Henry Fan will give keynote speeches. Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Chairman Charles Lee will address the luncheon meeting. HKEx will also conduct the information and consultation symposium on listing in Hong Kong for Mainland participants.

Launched in 2004, the regional co-operation presents immense opportunities for provinces and regions that have total population and gross domestic product accounting for one-third of the national total.

The Pan-PRD region, also known as '9+2', involves the nine provinces and regions of Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, plus Hong Kong and Macau.