The inaugural LEAP East 2026 concluded at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 10, 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 fields such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities, and new energy industries.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan highlighted the turnout as evidence of the global appeal of LEAP East and announced that the conference would continue in Hong Kong for the next three years. He emphasized Hong Kong's unique position as a gateway connecting the Chinese mainland with the world, underpinned by a common law system, robust intellectual property protection, free flow of capital and data, and a simple, low tax regime. Chan invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to use Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform, expressing commitment to deepening cooperation in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and professional services.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Professor Sun Dong noted that the number of start-ups in Hong Kong has surged by 40% since 2021, reaching 5,200 in 2025. He highlighted that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster ranked first globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025, and Hong Kong ranked fourth in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 and second in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026. Hong Kong also topped the world in IPOs in 2025, with 119 listings raising approximately US$35 billion.
The event underscored the deepening partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, with top officials including Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha attending the opening ceremony. Professor Sun met with Alswaha to exchange views on innovation and technology collaborations. Chan revealed plans to lead a Hong Kong delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year to explore concrete projects in infrastructure, green tech, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and professional services.
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