Chief Executive John Lee has vowed to work with authorities across the border to enhance measures facilitating mutual access between financial markets on the mainland and in Hong Kong.

At a forum on Tuesday, Lee hailed the Greater Bay Area as "an important testing ground and participant" for mutual market access.

He also said the administration would continue to make good use of Hong Kong's leading advantages as a financial centre, while calling on political and business leaders to capitalise on the Greater Bay Area.

"The SAR government will continue to work closely with relevant mainland departments and trades to continuously optimise various mutual access measures, promote the integration of financial markets in the Greater Bay Area, work for the country's development strategy on being a financial powerhouse, and achieve high-quality development," Lee said.

"All political and business leaders should also make good use of the countless opportunities in the Greater Bay Area to work together for a win-win situation."

Sun Yu, vice-chairman and chief executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), urged the city to "take the initiative" to attract more businesses from all over the world to invest and operate in Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area.

He added the SAR should strive to further develop into an investment and financial centre for emerging markets, to bring in companies with development potential from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.