In a powerful demonstration of its growing momentum as an international technology and financial nexus, Hong Kong successfully hosted the inaugural LEAP East 2026 this July, drawing a massive crowd of over 35,000 global innovators.
Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 8 to 10, the three-day summit marked a historic milestone: it was the first time the prestigious LEAP summit was staged outside of Saudi Arabia. The event served as a melting pot for technology professionals, policymakers, and investors from 30 countries and regions, underscoring the deepening bilateral partnership between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Middle East.
With a sprawling roster of over 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors, and more than 400 investors, the summit cast a spotlight on cutting-edge sectors, including artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities, and new energy industries.
The Saudi-Hong Kong Axis
The sheer scale of LEAP East reflects a broader strategic alignment between Asia and the Gulf. Paul Chan, financial secretary of the HKSAR Government, officially opened the event alongside top officials, including Professor Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSARG, and Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
“This turnout speaks volumes about the global appeal of LEAP East and the strength of our shared vision,” Chan remarked during the opening ceremony, adding a major announcement for the region’s tech ecosystem: “I am particularly delighted to note that this conference will continue to be held in Hong Kong in the coming three years.”
Capital Meets Innovation: The ‘Finance+’ Strategy
For the global fintech and investment communities, Hong Kong’s pitch at LEAP East was clear: the city remains an unparalleled launchpad for cross-border capital. Officials emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” bridging the Chinese Mainland with international markets.
“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,” Chan stated. He pointed to the city’s bedrock advantages, including a robust common law system protecting intellectual property, the free flow of capital and data, and a simple, low-tax regime.
Chan extended an open invitation to Saudi and Gulf enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a premier international fundraising and risk-management platform. “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.”
A Surging Tech Ecosystem by the Numbers
The summit also served as a victory lap for Hong Kong’s recent innovation and technology (I&T) milestones. Professor Sun highlighted the tangible fruits of the government’s aggressive I&T push, noting that the number of start-ups in the city has surged by 40 percent since 2021, reaching an impressive 5,200 in 2025.
The region’s global standing has matched this internal growth. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster recently secured the top spot globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025. Furthermore, Hong Kong ranked fourth globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 and second in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026.
Crucially for investors, Hong Kong reclaimed its crown as the world’s top destination for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2025. The city saw 119 listings raise approximately US$35 billion, a roster that included several global tech champions.
“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 added.
Looking Ahead
The momentum generated at LEAP East 2026 is already paving the way for future bilateral moves. Financial Secretary Chan revealed plans to lead a high-level Hong Kong delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year. The trade mission will bring together leading companies in infrastructure, green tech, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, alongside heavyweights from the finance and investment sectors, to secure concrete projects and forge new partnerships.
As LEAP East puts down roots in Hong Kong for the next three years, the message to the global tech and finance sectors is definitive: the corridor between the Middle East and Asia is wide open, and Hong Kong is holding the door.
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