HKGCC Silver Economy Summit: Reimagining Silver Innovation to Global Opportunities

For Immediate Release

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) hosted the Silver Economy Summit this morning, convening an influential group of senior executives, investors, officials, and innovators. Anchored in sustainability, innovation, and consumption, the half-day premier event served as a dynamic incubator for market intelligence, exploring how businesses can unlock new growth and shape the fast-evolving longevity ecosystem in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and beyond.

Douglas Woo, Vice Chairman of HKGCC, delivered the welcome remarks, highlighting the urgent need for strategic foresight during this demographic transition. Woo stated that as Hong Kong enters a new era of longevity, the city must sharpen its focus on the silver economy, a shift that presents an unprecedented macroeconomic opportunity. He added that by building resilient, age-inclusive systems aligned with the 15th Five-Year Plan, businesses can unlock cross-border opportunities and turn longevity into lasting economic prosperity. This vision is strongly reinforced by the Five-Year Plan, which outlines concrete initiatives to drive this ecosystem forward.

Delivering the event’s keynote opening address, Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, emphasised the vast potential for commercial expansion. “The silver economy is about creating better choices and better lives for older persons. It is also about fostering innovation, unlocking new market opportunities and creating fresh momentum for Hong Kong’s economic development. By bringing together the strengths of the business community, professional sectors and different partners, we can develop more quality products and services, capture the opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland and beyond, and make Hong Kong a more age-friendly and vibrant city”, he said.

The morning of high-level insights featured two in-depth panel sessions.

The first panel, “Financing Longevity & Tech-Driven Healthcare Innovations”, explored the critical intersection of finance, insurance, and cutting-edge technology. Moderated by Felix Lee, Co-CEO of The GBA Healthcare Group and Chairman of HKGCC China Committee, the panel featured Ricky Chiu, Chairman and CEO of PHASE Scientific International Limited; Wilton Kee, CEO of Manulife (International) Limited; and Kenneth Tsang, Regional CEO of IHH Healthcare North Asia and CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong. The experts discussed how different stakeholders can come together and collaborate to ensure that access to quality preventative healthcare and diagnostics continues to be widespread despite growing medical inflation. Drawing on examples from the GBA and ASEAN, the conversation also covered how policy and technological development can help reduce the growing financial burden on older residents.

The second panel, “Unleashing Silver Consumption & Cross-Border Integration”, took a deep dive into silver consumption trends, examining the comprehensive ecosystem built around daily necessities, education, sports, entertainment, and senior travel. Moderated by Roy Ng, Chairman and CEO of Star Lite (HK) Limited and Convenor of HKGCC Health and Wellness Working Group, the session brought together Oscar Chow, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of Chevalier Group; Fung Hong, Director of the Golden Age Foundation; Jane Lee, President of Our Hong Kong Foundation; and Bai Xue, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Director of the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies, and Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Drawing on comparative case studies from leading aging societies in Asia, the speakers provided insights on what changes are needed to ensure that Hong Kong can integrate its silver economy solutions with the Greater Bay Area and tap into the Chinese Mainland market. The panel also discussed how societal perceptions of aging must change from “a burden” to “an opportunity” in order to provide holistic solutions.

By gathering industry leaders to exchange cutting-edge ideas and identify emerging trends, the summit equipped participants with the strategic tools necessary to navigate the dynamic longevity landscape and build collaborative ecosystems for the future.

The Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to all Silver Economy Summit attendees, speakers, and panellists for their participation. We also gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the corporate sponsors who made this landmark event possible:

Gold Sponsors: Chevalier Group & Ventria Residence, HK Tech 300 of City University of Hong Kong

Silver Sponsors: MTR Corporation Limited, The GBA Healthcare Group, Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium Limited

Photo Captions:

HKGCC Vice Chairman Douglas Woo welcomed distinguished guests at the HKGCC Silver Economy Summit.

HKSAR Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau delivered keynote opening address.

Officiating guests, distinguished speakers and moderators posed for a group photo to mark this special occasion.

The Summit brought together an influential group of senior executives, investors, government officials and innovators to explore the vast opportunities emerging from the silver economy.

The first panel, “Financing Longevity & Tech-Driven Healthcare Innovations”, explored the critical intersection of finance, insurance, and cutting-edge technology. Moderated by Felix Lee, Co-CEO of The GBA Healthcare Group and Chairman of HKGCC China Committee (first left), the panel featured Ricky Chiu, Chairman and CEO of PHASE Scientific International Limited (first right); Wilton Kee, CEO of Manulife (International) Limited (second left); and Kenneth Tsang, Regional CEO of IHH Healthcare North Asia and CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (second right).

The second panel, “Unleashing Silver Consumption & Cross-Border Integration”, took a deep dive into silver consumption trends, examining the comprehensive ecosystem built around daily necessities, education, sports, entertainment, and senior travel. Moderated by Roy Ng, Chairman and CEO of Star Lite (HK) Limited and Convenor of HKGCC Health and Wellness Working Group (first left), the session brought together Oscar Chow, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of Chevalier Group (second right); Fung Hong, Director of the Golden Age Foundation (first right); Jane Lee, President of Our Hong Kong Foundation (second left); and Bai Xue, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Director of the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies, and Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (centre).

About Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC)

For 165 years, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business, growing together with Hong Kong and the business community. Our mission is to promote, represent and safeguard the interests of the business community in Hong Kong, and at the same time provide support, networks, training and business services to help the business community grow. For more details, please visit www.chamber.org.hk.

Media inquiries: Please contact Mr Jonathan Man at 2823-1229 / [email protected]