The inaugural LEAP East 2026 concluded on July 10 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing more than 35,000 technology professionals, policymakers, and investors from 30 countries and regions. The three-day event, the first LEAP summit held outside Saudi Arabia, featured over 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors, and more than 400 investors, covering artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities, and new energy industries.
Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), opened the event by emphasizing the global appeal of LEAP East and the strength of shared vision between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Chan announced that the conference will continue to be held in Hong Kong for the next three years, underscoring the deepening partnership between the two regions. Other top officials attending included Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSARG, and Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia.
Chan highlighted Hong Kong's unique position as a gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world. "Hong Kong is perhaps the only city in the world that connects seamlessly to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world at the same time," he said. He cited robust intellectual property protection under the common law system, free flow of capital, goods, talent, and data, simple low taxes, and safety and stability as foundations for business and creativity to thrive.
Chan invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to use Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform. He expressed the HKSAR's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. "Innovation needs capital, and Hong Kong is where capital and ideas meet. This is the heart of our 'Finance+' strategy - using finance as a powerful enabler to drive the real economy," Chan said.
Professor Sun noted that the HKSARG's efforts in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) are bearing fruit. The number of start-ups in Hong Kong has surged by 40% since 2021, reaching 5,200 in 2025. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster ranked first globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025, and Hong Kong ranked fourth globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 and second globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026. Hong Kong also topped the world in IPO in 2025, with 119 listings raising approximately US$35 billion, including many world tech champions.
Professor Sun met with Minister Alswaha to exchange views on I&T collaborations between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. "This international gathering reflects the rising global I&T momentum, and Hong Kong is proud to serve as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' for international exchanges," Professor Sun said.
Chan revealed plans to lead a Hong Kong delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year, bringing leading companies in infrastructure, green tech, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, plus professionals in finance, investment, and professional services, to explore concrete projects and further partnership.
The event underscores the importance of Hong Kong as a hub for innovation and technology, leveraging its unique advantages to connect businesses with opportunities in the Chinese Mainland and globally. For leaders in business and technology, LEAP East signals growing cross-border collaboration in deep tech and AI, with Hong Kong positioning itself as a key enabler of capital and ideas. The continued partnership with Saudi Arabia opens new avenues for investment and development in cutting-edge industries.
