More than 150 representatives from the academic, business and government sectors attended The Global Financial Crisis & Recovery: a Regional Co-operation Perspective seminar today.

They discussed the Asia-Pacific region's role in the new economic order, and how the post-crisis regional landscape will bring opportunities for businesses.

Organised by the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Co-operation and the Trade & Industry Department, the seminar also looked into the impact of the financial crisis, including the decline in economic growth and trade, and the possible threat of protectionism.

Speaking at the seminar, committee chairman Professor Sung Yun-wing said the global financial crisis in 2008 brought unprecedented challenges to the global economy.

The crisis has given rise to a paradigm of changes and a new global economic order is in sight, he said, adding while the economic situation has eased recently, the pace and scale of recovery remains uncertain.

The committee has conducted different programmes, including youth learning projects, workshops and seminars to promote public understanding of regional co-operation matters.