Mr McCooey, Chairman of Nasdaq Asia Pacific,   discussed how innovations played their part in this fight against COVID-19.   With social distancing in place, people turned to working remotely and online   economic activities became the perfect substitute for offline economic   activities. Despite the sudden halt of many industries, some sectors   experienced unprecedented boom. A stock exchange like Nasdaq with no physical   trading floor can still operate efficiently with the current social   distancing rules.

   
We have more than 600 pharmaceutical companies listed on Nasdaq, these   companies played an invaluable part in developing vaccine and helping the   infected, and via Nasdaq, these companies get access to funding for   expansion. Nasdaq also played her part in fighting against the epidemic,   albeit indirectly. There are numerous high-tech companies listed on Nasdaq,   whose products help smooth our lives during difficult times like this.   Innovation gives us more ‘weapons’ in the challenges we face.