19th May 2025 – (Hong Kong) Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced on May 19 that its Director-General of Investment Promotion and senior leadership team have successfully concluded a series of strategic visits to emerging markets across Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. These missions, aimed at promoting Hong Kong’s business advantages and fostering international collaboration, featured high-level meetings with government bodies, chambers of commerce, and strategic enterprises, as well as participation in key economic and trade events.

In a significant milestone during the Middle East visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to deepen economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the region. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and regional leaders, underscoring Hong Kong’s commitment to strengthening its global connectivity.

Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, led the delegation alongside Associate Director-General Mr Charles Ng and Acting Associate Director-General Ms Loretta Lee. The team visited Türkiye, Hungary, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Romania. Their efforts focused on showcasing Hong Kong’s unique position under the “one country, two systems” framework, facilitating its role as a gateway between Mainland China and international markets.

Chief Executive John Lee personally led a business delegation to Qatar and Kuwait from 11th to 14th May. Three MoUs were signed during this visit, strengthening ties with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Qatar Businessmen Association, and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority. These agreements mark a significant step in fostering mutual cooperation and business collaborations.

From 10th to 20th May, Ms Alpha Lau visited key cities along the Belt and Road Initiative, including Istanbul, Budapest, and Cairo. She engaged with economic relations committees, export promotion agencies, and financial organisations to highlight Hong Kong’s advantages as a global financial hub. Ms Lau also hosted multiple business seminars and media roundtables to share success stories of Hong Kong, further enhancing its international reputation.

Mr Charles Ng visited Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Casablanca, Morocco, from 11th to 16th May. In Côte d’Ivoire, he addressed a CEO Forum, highlighting Hong Kong’s pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative. In Morocco, Mr Ng met with financial institutions and professional associations to promote Hong Kong’s robust financial ecosystem and innovation capabilities.

InvestHK’s Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech & Sustainability, Mr King Leung, visited Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, where he met representatives from financial institutions to explore opportunities for technological and digital collaboration. Meanwhile, the Head of Consumer Products, Ms Angelica Leung, engaged with retail and luxury sector leaders in Bucharest, Romania, promoting Hong Kong as an ideal regional headquarters for brands aiming to expand across Asia.

Speaking on the successful visits, Ms Alpha Lau emphasised the importance of diversifying Hong Kong’s economic ties. “In addition to traditional markets, we are strengthening our engagement with emerging markets to create new opportunities for collaboration. Amid global economic challenges and evolving supply chains, international enterprises are eager to expand their presence in Asia. InvestHK will align with the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen connections with the Global South to promote cross-border investment, capital market cooperation, and technological innovation.”