It has been good to see Hong Kong shine in its long-established role as China’s gateway to the world. The city should be proud of the latest outreach efforts in the Middle East by an official high-level delegation from its companies and those on the mainland. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu led more than 50 business leaders from Hong Kong and seven mainland provinces and cities on what he described as a “fruitful” five-day trip to Qatar and Kuwait that ended yesterday. Along the way, they secured dozens of deals on trade, innovation and technology.
What made the visit particularly notable was it being the first official Hong Kong delegation to include representatives from the mainland. The last trip Lee made to the region was in 2023 to pursue opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, building on the progress made by President Xi Jinping during his visit in December 2022.
The leadership of Lee this time reflects the city’s growing role in national aspirations to link regional cities into the Greater Bay Area development zone. Qatar and Kuwait are keen to rely less on oil and gas. Instead, they want to invest in innovation and technology, clear the way for new industrialisation and upgrade infrastructure.
The delegation made a good start in Qatar, securing some 35 memorandums of understanding before signing another 24 in Kuwait. Holders of Hong Kong passports may now enter Qatar and the United Arab Emirates without visas for 30 days. The visa-free entry period to Oman was also extended from 10 to 14 days.
In Kuwait, Lee showcased ambitions to sign a free-trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and he invited the country to establish an office for its investment authority in Hong Kong. Kuwait has the fifth-largest sovereign wealth fund in the world with US$1.02 trillion under management.
After a meeting that went on longer than scheduled with the emir of Kuwait, Lee said he had emphasised a “commitment to the promotion of high-quality development with belt and road partners”. He also said the overall visit had expanded the city’s “circle of friends”.
