Hui Ching-yu: Hong Kong has over 120,000 licensed insurance intermediaries; over 100 applications for insurance specialists approved under the talent list

At the annual conference of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Hui Ching-yu said in his speech that Hong Kong currently has more than 120,000 licensed insurance intermediaries, and the government is stepping up efforts to expand the talent pool. About 22,000 insurance practitioners have participated in the "Pilot Programme to Enhance Talent Training for the Insurance Sector" launched 10 years ago. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is committed to attracting global talent. Under the "Insurance Specialist" and "Actuary" categories of the Hong Kong Talent List, more than 100 applications have been received and approved, reflecting talent's confidence in Hong Kong's prospects and achievements as an international risk management centre. He pointed out that risks are now intertwined to an unprecedented degree: geopolitical shifts are affecting supply chains and financial markets, climate change-related risks are intensifying, and artificial intelligence is reshaping how insurers underwrite, price and serve customers; population ageing is also changing demand for protection and long-term savings. He noted that these risks know no borders, and no single regulator, market or industry can address them alone. He mentioned that as a super connector, Hong Kong brings together insurers, reinsurers and capital markets, has a robust regulatory framework, and is closely connected with the mainland and the world. These advantages enable Hong Kong to help the insurance industry respond to emerging risks. Hong Kong will also continue to consolidate its role as a regional risk management centre by attracting more professional captive insurers to set up operations, expanding the insurance-linked securities market, and nurturing industry talent, helping enterprises in Asia and the mainland "go global".