Participants and journalists attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong in January last year. Provided to China Daily

More than 90 high-profile speakers from the government, business and financial sectors will share their insights on major Asian economic issues at the 6th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) to be held in Hong Kong on Jan 14 and 15.

Themed "Asia: Shaping the Next Global Landscape," this year's forum will focus on Asia's fast-expanding role in the global economy.

Topics such as the Asia's role in global economic development, the need for a new financial infrastructure, opportunities in China and yuan internationalization will be discussed during the two-day financial summit.

The gathering, the sixth such event organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Some 2,000 business industry players and government leaders from 32 countries and regions attended last year's forum.

China Daily is a media sponsor of the AFF.

Against the backdrop of the United States having averted a "fiscal cliff" while still struggling with its debt ceiling, and European countries remaining mired in their sovereign debt crisis, the emerging Asia has become the main force to drive global economic growth and the focus of the global market.

"Although there're still a lot of uncertainties in the global economy, I'm cautiously optimistic towards the overall economic growth in 2013 and recent economic data shows that Asia is on a positive uptrend," AFF 2013 Steering Committee Chairman Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd, told a press conference on Wednesday.

The Chinese mainland's economic policies will remain a focal point for the world, said Hung, adding that this reality will be reflected at this year's forum.

"Along with a panel discussion on China opportunities, the forum will feature workshops on China's agenda for reforming its financial system, trends and opportunities in the global use of the yuan and the China-ASEAN business partnership," he said.

Beyond China, there is much on the AFF agenda to look forward to, said Raymond Yip, Assistant Executive Director at HKTDC. The forum has a panel discussion on global investment opportunities and another on food and agriculture.

This year's workshops range from Asian financial integration to investments in Myanmar and private wealth management, Yip said.

Prominent speakers at this year's event will include Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan; Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President and CEO Charles Evans; Italy's Minister of Economy and Finance Vittorio Grilli; South Korea's Minister of Strategy and Finance Bahk Jaewan; and Luxembourg's Minister of Finance Luc Frieden.

Top officials and business figures from the mainland will include Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission Guo Shuqing; China Investment Corporation Chairman and CEO Lou Jiwei; President and CEO of China International Capital Corporation Ltd Levin Zhu; COFCO Corporation Chairman Frank Gaoning Ning; SOHO China Chairman Pan Shiyi; and Vice-Chairman and CEO of Fosun Group Liang Xinjun.

Other corporate leaders taking part include Prudential plc Chairman Paul Manduca; Far Eastern Group Chairman Douglas Hsu; and CT Corp CEO Frits Seegers.

sophiehe@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 01/10/2013 page2)