Helping the SAR to get in line with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan on a proactive basis and mainland enterprises to go global will be the focus of the 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) when it starts at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next Monday.

The forum, themed “Co-creating New Horizons amid an Evolving Landscape”, has invited hundreds of global political and business leaders, investment experts and financial heavyweights and is expected to draw more than 3,600 participants from over 60 countries and regions.

Also in focus at the forum will be how to consolidate and strengthen the foundation of the real economy and attracting international companies.

The final day of the two-day forum will feature the inaugural Global Industry Summit – co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises – where the focus will be on the integration of finance and industry.

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui said Hong Kong should actively carry out its role in connecting the nation with the world in today's complex and ever-changing international environment.

He said the forum would also focus on the development of the gold market with dedicated discussion sessions planned.

"The forum includes increasing the competitiveness of our stock market, strengthening our role as an offshore RMB centre, accelerating our bond and money markets, green economy technology, as well exploring new opportunities such as international commodities and gold trading," Hui said.

The signing of a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in the further development of a gold market will also feature high at the forum, with an announcement of the latest measures for the city's development as an international gold trading centre highly anticipated.

AFF steering committee chairwoman Maggie Ng, who is chief executive of HSBC Hong Kong, said Hong Kong, as a bridge connecting China with the rest of the world, has ample room for development in assisting mainland enterprises to go global, promoting the growth of innovative industries and promoting professional wealth management services for families.