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Paul Chan attends the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Switzerland; spotlights Hong Kong’s advantages as an international hub for trade and finance

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Paul Chan

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2026 – Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has joined about 3,000 world leaders attending the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland (January 19-23). During the WEF Annual Meeting 2026, themed “A Spirit of Dialogue”, Mr Chan attends, speaks and joins discussions at several keynote meetings, luncheons and dinners. He also meets with political, business and financial leaders to brief them on the latest situation in Hong Kong as well as the city’s new opportunities.

Mr Chan attended a breakfast reception hosted by virtual asset enterprise Animoca Brands, headquartered in Hong Kong, yesterday (January 20). Speaking at the meeting, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong adopts a proactive yet prudent approach to the development of digital assets guided by the principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation” to promote responsible and sustainable market development. Since 2023, Hong Kong has issued licences to 11 virtual asset trading platforms, and a licensing regime for stablecoins is expected to be launched later this year. The Financial Secretary also noted the HKSAR Government’s leadership role in promoting tokenisation, including the issuance of three batches of tokenised green bonds amounting to around US$2.1 billion.

Mr Chan also engaged with a number of officials from different economies and regional organisations attending the WEF Annual Meeting, including Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance of Thailand, Mr Ekniti Nitithanprapas; the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi; the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt, Mr Hassan El Khatib; and the State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance of Switzerland, Ms Daniela Stoffel. They exchanged views on the global political and economic landscape and issues of mutual concern, and explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration in areas such as trade, finance, industry development and digital transformation.

During a meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mr Chan reiterated that Hong Kong, China firmly supports free trade and multilateralism, and expressed support for the WTO’s efforts to pursue reforms in response to current global challenges, with a view to enhancing its agility in addressing emerging issues in international trade.

HKSAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan (right) meets with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Davos, Switzerland

On arriving Davos (January 19), Mr Chan began his visit programme by meeting with the Minister of Economy of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Dr Said Mohammed Al-Saqri. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as finance, trade, green transformation and industrial development.

Mr Chan said that Hong Kong’s advantages as a “super connector” could support Oman’s transitioning from an oil-driven growth model towards a more diversified economic structure. He said that Hong Kong could facilitate Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong enterprises to invest in Oman to support its infrastructure and industrial development. At the same time, Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre in Asia could provide Omani enterprises with an ideal platform for fundraising and financing, as well as offshore Renminbi investment and risk management products.

Mr Chan will continue his programme in Davos, including participating at the 2026 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon and the “How to Finance Decarbonization?” session of the WEF Annual Meeting, before returning to Hong Kong on January 24 morning.

Business

Industrial competitiveness takes centre stage at C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg

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C&I Energy

The summit opens with a shared question: how can businesses protect production and investment while navigating changes to the systems that supply their energy and water

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 27, 2026/APO Group/ –Rising electricity and water costs, changing energy procurement options and pressure to decarbonise are putting South Africa’s industrial competitiveness under scrutiny. These challenges will lead the opening agenda of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg, which begins tomorrow, bringing the relationship between infrastructure resilience and business performance into focus.

Held alongside the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) Conference, Data Centre Summit and Water Security Africa on 28–29 October, the summit opens with a shared question: how can businesses protect production and investment while navigating changes to the systems that supply their energy and water?

 




  

Following welcomes from Chanelle Hingston, VUKA Group Director: Power, Energy & Water, and EIUG Chairman Murendeni Matshinyatsimbi, NTCSA CEO Monde Bala will deliver the keynote address. He is expected to explore how grid expansion, fair access and system reliability can support a competitive electricity market and unlock industrial investment.

These opening contributions will set the context for the keynote panel, “Threats and opportunities in South Africa’s industrial future”. Moderated by Kay Walsh, Managing Director of Nova Economics, the discussion brings together Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, Founding Director of Southern Transitions; Charles Dos Santos, Managing Director of Air Products South Africa; and Lubabalo Luyaba, Senior Water Specialist at the World Bank.

The panel will examine how escalating tariffs, electricity market reform and pressure on water resources are influencing industrial competitiveness. Wheeling frameworks, market liquidity and regulatory clarity will feature alongside the growing need for resilient water supply and better water management.

For commercial and industrial businesses, these issues have direct implications for operating costs, procurement decisions and long-term investment. The discussion will explore how companies can manage regulatory uncertainty, strengthen resilience and assess opportunities in energy procurement and carbon markets.

Water security will receive further attention through a keynote address and MOU signing featuring Ramateu Monyokolo, Chairperson of AWSISA. Earlier morning discussions will ask what a loss of Johannesburg’s water supply would mean for business and explore water’s role as a strategic asset.

The opening agenda will lead into practical Day 1 sessions on reducing energy costs, electricity market reform and financing the transition. Industrial case studies from Isuzu Motors South Africa, Sibanye-Stillwater and Harmony Gold Mining Company will examine approaches to cost certainty and energy security.

Across the day, the emphasis will be on decisions businesses can act on: improving efficiency, diversifying supply and investing in infrastructure that supports reliable operations and sustained competitiveness.

Sponsors across the events include WEG, Gold Sponsor; Standard Bank, Gold and Registration Sponsor; Huawei, EIUG Gold and Registration Sponsor; NOA and South32, EIUG Gold Sponsors; Envusa Energy, Scatec (Lyra) and Seriti Green, EIUG Silver Sponsors; LONGi and MATTLA Engineering Solutions, Bronze Sponsors; Africa International Advisors, EIUG Bronze Sponsor; Webber Wentzel, Water Bronze Sponsor; and Air Liquide and Air Products, Session Sponsors.

Download the full programme to explore the keynote speakers, industry case studies and practical sessions taking place on 28–29 October: https://apo-opa.co/4sqc9QL

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Energy

Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027 Places Infrastructure at the Center of Libya’s Energy Expansion with Dedicated Forum

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From gas processing and ports to downstream infrastructure and regional pipelines, LEES 2027 will examine the infrastructure required to support Libya’s next phase of energy growth

TRIPOLI, Libya, October 26, 2026/APO Group/ –Libya’s push to expand oil and gas production is creating a parallel requirement for investment in the infrastructure needed to process, transport and commercialize additional energy supplies. With more than $20 billion committed to the Waha concessions alone and major gas, industrial and logistics projects advancing, infrastructure integration is emerging as a key component of the country’s investment agenda.

 




 
 

Against this backdrop, the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027, taking place January 23–25 in Tripoli, will feature a dedicated Infrastructure and Integration Forum. The forum will examine how Libya can convert its growing resource base into productive domestic infrastructure and stronger regional ties.

As Libya seeks to process more hydrocarbons domestically and capture greater value from refined products, the country’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) is pursuing refinery modernization and expanded petrochemical manufacturing. That strategy is being reinforced by upstream expansion, including a more than $20 billion, 25-year Waha development deal with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips targeting up to 850,000 barrels per day (bpd) of additional capacity.

Meanwhile, the National Development Agency has signed 13 agreements with Chinese companies for projects at the 1,000-hectare Magroun Industrial Zone, covering industrial chemicals, advancing manufacturing and construction materials. The Ministry of Industry’s 100-Day Plan is supporting the country’s wider development push through infrastructure and digital reforms aimed at improving industrial investment.

Gas provides another major infrastructure opportunity set to be showcased at LEES 2027. Eni’s $8 billion Structures A&E project is designed to move offshore gas to the Mellitah treatment plant, with infrastructure targeting 750 million cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) in 2027. The project follows the successful start-up of the Sabratha Compression Project in June 2026. Led by Eni in partnership with the NOC – through the Mellitah Oil & Gas joint venture – the project has an overall compression capacity of 440 mmscf/d.

On the maritime side, the $2.7 billion Misurata Port expansion is set to transform the facility into a major Mediterranean logistics hub, with planned capacity of 4 million containers annually and 8,400 direct jobs. The project also incorporates local supplier development, linking maritime expansion with efforts to build domestic supply chains.

Beyond domestic infrastructure Libya is strengthening its connections to regional neighbors. The country is advancing negotiations with Egypt for an 800-km Tobruk-Alexandria crude pipeline, estimated at $1.5 billion–$2 billion and targeting initial capacity of 150,000–250,000 bpd. The NOC is also working to maximize the 11-billion-cubic-meter annual capacity of the GreenStream pipeline, connecting coastal facilities in Libya to European markets via Sicily.

Taken together, these projects show an increasingly integrated Libyan investment agenda – connecting upstream production with downstream industry, gas infrastructure, logistics and cross-border energy markets. LEES 2027’s Infrastructure and Integration Forum will bring those investment opportunities together in one platform, highlighting the NOC and Ministry-led push to build the infrastructure required for Libya’s next phase of economic growth.

For more information about LEES 2027, please visit https://LibyaSummit.com/​.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

 




 

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Energy

Ghana Energy Minister John Jinapor to Speak at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026

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Etu Energias

Ghana’s Energy Minister joins MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 as the country advances upstream investment, gas monetization and infrastructure development

DAKAR, Senegal, October 26, 2026/APO Group/ –Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor will participate as a speaker at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, from December 1–3. His participation comes as Ghana pursues upstream investment, domestic gas monetization and power-sector reforms to strengthen energy security and attract capital.

 




  

Minister Jinapor’s participation brings Ghana’s experience in balancing hydrocarbon development, electricity reliability and renewable energy investment to a regional forum focused on cross-border infrastructure and resource development. The fifth edition, held at the CICAD under the high patronage of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, will connect policymakers, operators and investors across the MSGBC basin.

Ghana’s latest initiatives combine upstream recovery with major downstream infrastructure plans. On October 20, Jinapor pledged to lead inter-ministerial talks addressing land acquisition, compensation and financing hurdles facing the proposed $28-billion Petroleum Hub in Jomoro, following an agreement between the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation and a United Arab Emirates consortium led by Global Sphere.

https://apo-opa.co/4ijaUOu

The proposed development includes a 300,000-barrel-per-day refinery, petrochemical facilities and deepwater ports, with construction targeted for early 2027. If delivered, the project could expand domestic processing capacity, support industrial activity and position Ghana as a regional petroleum-products trading hub.

At African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, Jinapor also reported $3.5 billion in upstream investment commitments for Ghana’s Jubilee, Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme, and Offshore Cape Three Points fields. The commitments support expansion and drilling campaigns as the country seeks to reverse declining production and sustain output from mature offshore assets.

His contribution will enrich regional discussions at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026, fostering opportunities for cross-border cooperation

https://apo-opa.co/4BoGjrs

Gas supply and power-sector efficiency remain central to that strategy. Ghana is implementing its Second Gas Processing Plant, while plans for additional offshore infrastructure aim to increase gas availability; the government has also reported savings of $500 million from reducing liquid-fuel imports for electricity generation.

https://apo-opa.co/4jGStFP

Regional integration offers another route to improving supply security. Jinapor recently outlined discussions with Nigeria on exchanging Ghanaian electricity for Nigerian natural gas delivered through the West African Gas Pipeline, while Ghana is procuring a 200 MW battery energy storage system alongside a 200 MWp solar facility.

https://apo-opa.co/4Bxfr94

These measures complement efforts to address energy-sector liabilities, which exceeded $3 billion at the start of 2025, and improve payments to independent power producers. Ghana’s longer-term plans include expanding renewable capacity, increasing electricity access to 99% by 2030 and developing nuclear power as part of its future generation mix.

“Minister Jinapor’s participation brings valuable perspective on how Ghana is mobilizing investment across upstream production, gas monetization and power infrastructure to strengthen energy security and support industrial growth. His contribution will enrich regional discussions at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026, fostering opportunities for cross-border cooperation, infrastructure development and investment partnerships across West Africa,” says Sandra Jeque, Vice President, Energy Capital & Power.

MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 will also feature Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf; Guinea-Conakry’s Minister of Energy Laye Sékou Camara; Algeria’s Minister of State for Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab and Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal; Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Natural Resources Baldé; and Mali’s Minister of Energy and Water Tiémoko Traoré.

Organized by Energy Capital & Power and held under the High Patronage of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 takes place December 1–3 in Dakar and will convene heads of state, ministers, investors, operators and development partners from Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry. Explore opportunities and secure your participation at www.MSGBCOilGasandPower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 




 

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