Frederick S. Ma Keynote Speaker

Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
Former Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Leading business and finance executive with extensive experience across banking, trade and corporate governance

Frederick S. Ma's Biography

Professor Frederick Ma Si-Hang has been Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) since June 2025.

Professor Ma was born and educated in Hong Kong. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from the University of Hong Kong in 1973 majoring in economics and history. Since graduation, he had taken up major positions of various local and overseas banks, financial institutions and major companies, including Chase Manhattan Bank, Royal Bank of Canada Dominion Securities, Kumagai Gumi (HK) Limited, JP Morgan Chase and Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited. He has rich experience in the banking and financial sector.

In 2002, he joined the Hong Kong SAR Government as the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury and assumed the post of Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in 2007. He resigned from the Government in July 2008 due to medical reasons.

In addition to serving as HKTDC Chairman, Professor Ma also holds the positions of Chairman at FWD Group Holdings Limited, Independent Non-Executive Director of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, COSCO Shipping Holdings Co., Ltd. and Unicorn II Holdings Limited. He is also a Member of the International Advisory Council of China Investment Corporation. Professor Ma is a past Chairman of MTR Corporation Limited. He was a Member of Global Advisory Council of the Bank of America and International Advisory Council of Investcorp.

Since 2011, Professor Ma is a Permanent Honourable President of Hong Kong Special Schools Council. He is also an Honorary Professor of the Business School at the University of Hong Kong, the Faculty of Business Administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Education University of Hong Kong. He was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences by Lingnan University, City University of Hong Kong and The Education University of Hong Kong in 2014, 2016 and 2024 respectively. From 2017 – 2020, he was the Council Chairman of The Education University of Hong Kong.

In March 2023, Professor Ma was appointed as a Member of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers. He was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2009 and appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2010.

All speaking fees received by Professor Ma are donated to the Character Education Foundation.

Global Trade, Investment and Economic Development

Leadership in Financial Services and Corporate Governance

Hong Kong, China and the Future of Asian Business

Economic Policy, Finance and International Markets

He helps leaders and organisations understand the forces shaping international trade, financial markets and economic policy, drawing on decades of experience across business, government and global finance.
He combines senior leadership experience in banking, public service and the boardroom, offering practical insights into economic development, corporate governance, infrastructure, financial services and international commerce.
As former Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, and current Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Hong Kong’s position as a leading global financial and trading hub.
Alongside his public service, he has held senior leadership and board positions at organisations including FWD Group, MTR Corporation, Bank of China (Hong Kong), COSCO Shipping and China Investment Corporation, giving him a broad perspective on leadership across the public and private sectors.