The global economy's continuing shift eastward will further enhance Hong Kong's role as a premier international business and financial center, local officials said at the two-day Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong.

Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of the Hong Kong special administrative region, said in his welcome address on Jan 13 that despite slower growth in major Asian economies last year, the region continues to be an engine powering world growth.

"Here in Asia, the Chinese mainland's economic growth for 2013 is estimated at 7.6 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund's projection in October last year, the slowest expansion in 14 years. And Japan's growth momentum has shown recent signs of weakening," Leung said.