Citi's Xu Huiyi: Finance is becoming a key driver of supply chain innovation and industrial upgrading.

On June 19, 2025, at the 2025 Lujiazui Forum "All-Member Meeting V: Financial Support for the Development of New Productivity", Standard Chartered Bank Limited Executive Director and CEO of Greater China and North Asia, Huam Huiyi, stated that from the frontline of international finance, she observed four macro changes: first, the acceleration of supply chain improvement, adjustments in the industrial chain, changes in trade and capital flows, and a substantial increase in regional trade exchanges. Second, global capital is being reallocated, with China's growing influence in the global economy, there is great potential for both overseas funds to invest in Chinese assets and Chinese funds to invest in overseas assets. Third, there is an increase in risk aversion, with significant increases in demand for currency diversification and for the Renminbi in trade settlement, investment hedging, and other areas. Fourth, the development of financial technology is creating new trade payment systems and operating models. In her view, driven by these four changes, finance is becoming the key driver for supply chain innovation and industry upgrading. Financial institutions can provide funding support for startups and tech projects through equity investments, venture capital, green bonds, etc., helping them move from the laboratory to large-scale commercial applications.