- The delegation explored the Middle Eastern market and supported high-quality Belt and Road cooperation while promoting Hong Kong’s unique role as a superconnector and super value-adder

- A total of 59 MoUs and announcements were facilitated during the mission, cultivating deeper partnerships between Hong Kong, the mainland, Qatar, and Kuwait

A business delegation led by Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) visited Kuwait City on 12-15 May, successfully concluding a five-day mission to Qatar and Kuwait.

A total of 59 MoUs and announcements were facilitated during the mission with the aim to cultivate deeper partnerships and create new opportunities for synergy between Hong Kong, the mainland, Qatar, Kuwait and the broader Middle Eastern market. The mission also successfully enhanced collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland, enabling mainland companies to partner with Hong Kong businesses to expand into the Middle East and beyond.

Over the past few days, the delegation, comprising over 50 business leaders from Hong Kong and enterprise representatives from seven mainland provinces and cities, explored the Middle Eastern market and supported high-quality Belt and Road cooperation while promoting Hong Kong’s unique role as a superconnector and super value-adder.

During the visit to Kuwait, 24 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and announcements were facilitated in trade and investment promotion, finance, law, transport and logistics, innovation and technology (I&T), agriculture, education and sport.

The delegation met with senior executives and key members of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), conglomerate Bukhamseen Group Holding and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to discuss investment opportunities and potential collaborations.

The delegation also met with several representatives from the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) to gain an in-depth understanding of the operations of Kuwait’s free trade zones. The meeting explored potential cooperation opportunities in areas such as logistics, manufacturing, distribution, and technology.

The delegation visited the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre to gain a comprehensive overview of Kuwaiti history, culture and achievements.

To foster cooperation, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organised a high-level business luncheon, which was attended by some 270 business leaders and key officials.

Concluding the Middle East mission, Mr Lee said the delegation, comprising Hong Kong and mainland business leaders, had achieved three key objectives: 1. To strengthen government-to-government relations; 2. To find new areas of collaboration; and 3. To make friends, and expand networks. “Over the past four days, I have observed that both Qatar and Kuwait are experiencing rapid development, supported by substantial investment and continually expanding economies. In meetings with leaders and officials, I appreciated their forward-looking vision and understanding of Hong Kong’s unparalleled advantages under ‘one country, two systems’ as a bridge between the mainland and the world.

Click here to continue