Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said that nearly 70 trade groups have confirmed their attendance at the 17th edition of the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong this month.

Speaking ahead of this week's Executive Council meeting, Lee said the groups are from the mainland, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, the US and Europe, which “reflected that Hong Kong remains attractive” for overseas investors.

“The number of speakers from the Middle East has increased from one or two to eight this time, whereas the number of those from Asean increased from five to 14. It fully shows that authorities have made progress in promoting the city to the two regions,” Lee said.

He added that the government will take the opportunity to promote Hong Kong's “conference economy” and “large-scale event economy”.

“We’ll arrange events that are in addition to attending the forums, including taking [the guests] to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum and sail on Victoria Harbour, take the sightseeing buses to visit local tourist attractions and have them experience Hong Kong’s nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong or joining the marathon race,” he said.

“In addition to making them feel more at home, experience the shopping scenes of Hong Kong, we’ll make them feel Hong Kong’s freedom, vitality, and diversity, so that they will tell Hong Kong stories well after returning to their countries and regions.”

The forum will be held on January 24 and 25.