Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks at the Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong Business Forum and Networking Luncheon hosted by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, Feb 7, 2023. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

HONG KONG – The United Arab Emirates is a key link in the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong leader said on Tuesday, stressing that the special administrative region is an important platform connecting the country with the vast opportunities in the Middle East region.

"Hong Kong can join you all in supporting your Belt and Road ventures,” John Lee Ka-chiu said in his speech at the Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong Business Forum and Networking Luncheon hosted by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to exchange views on fostering co-operation between the industrial and commercial sectors in Hong Kong and the UAE.

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The chief executive began his visit program in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, on Tuesday after finishing his visit to Saudi Arabia.

Hong Kong and the UAE are just getting started in other new economy – new opportunity – areas as well.

John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR

Detailing Hong Kong's advantages, Lee said in his speech: "We are a leading international financial center. We are expanding our financial services offerings to play a pivotal role in the Belt and Road and other national programs.

Referring to a solid foundation laid to promote future co-operation, he said the UAE-Hong Kong Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which entered into force nearly three years ago, has taken relationship between the two places to the next level.

"Hong Kong and the UAE are just getting started in other new economy – new opportunity – areas as well. Our two governments have agreed to explore signing a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in green and sustainable finance.”

Chief Executive John Lee (center); First Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri (second right); and Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr Peter Lam (second left) witness the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding between the HKTDC and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Feb 7, 2023. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

The CE and the First Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Aldhaheri, witnessed the exchanges of Memorandum of Understanding between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote further co-operation between the two places on industry, commerce and trade.Chief Executive John Lee (first left); Deputy Secretary for Justice, Cheung Kwok-kwan (third left); Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui (first right); and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau (second right), receive a briefing during their visit to Aldar Properties PJSC in Abu Dhabi, the UAE. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

The delegation led by Lee then visited an Abu Dhabi enterprise Aldar Properties PJSC to learn more about the real estate development and investment there. 

Chief Executive John Lee (left) meets with the Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Investment Company, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak (right), in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Feb 7, 2023. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

They also visited the UAE's sovereign wealth fund – Mubadala Investment Company – and met with its Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak to introduce Hong Kong's distinctive advantage under the "one country, two systems" in enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.

They discussed the collaboration opportunities with Hong Kong enterprises.

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The CE also met Xiao Peng, CEO of local tech firm G42, to introduce business opportunities in the SAR and to invite the company to grasp investment opportunities in the city.

Later, he had a meeting with the managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is a member of the ruling family in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and deliberated on issues of mutual interest on economic co-operation.

Chief Executive John Lee (left) attends a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the United Arab Emirates, Zhang Yiming (right) in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Feb 7, 2023. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

In the evening, the Hong Kong delegation attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, Zhang Yiming. The CE expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for its staunch support to the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai.