“We are here to better understand the opportunities of Kuwaiti business and investment. To explore how Hong Kong, Mainland China and Kuwait, working together, can create long-term mutual opportunities,” Mr Lee told nearly 300 local business leaders attending a luncheon themed “Partnering for Success – Hong Kong as a ‘Super Connector’ and ‘Super Value-Adder'”.
At the luncheon, government departments, enterprises, and organisations from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Kuwait exchanged and announced 24 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and co-operation agreements, covering areas such as economy and trade, investment, financial services, technology, legal co-operation, cargo clearance and flow, aviation, post-secondary education and sports. These include a new MOU signed between the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Kuwait Airways, aimed at enhancing aviation connectivity between the two regions.
HKSAR’s
Chief
Executive
John
Lee
(third
left)
witnesses
exchange
of
agreements
reached
between
government
departments,
enterprises,
and
institutions
from
Hong
Kong,
Mainland
China
and
Kuwait.
Mr
Lee
further
announced
that,
from
today
(May
15)
the
United
Arab
Emirates
will
grant
Hong
Kong
30-day
visa-free
access,
while
Oman
will
extend
its
visa-free
period
from
10
to
14
days.
Hong Kong is exploring closer ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Kuwait currently holding presidency. Mr Lee said the country wields significant influence in the region’s development.
“Hong Kong’s trade with the GCC last year reached nearly US$20 billion, up 53 per cent over the past four years. And that robust growth is underpinned by our mutual will to advance trade ties,” Mr Lee said. “Indeed, our burgeoning trade and investment co-operation, I believe, could well add momentum to the possibility of a free trade agreement between Hong Kong and the GCC.”
Earlier, (May 13) Mr Lee met with the Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and Acting Prime Minister His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait including areas such as finance, trade, and innovation and technology.
Mr
Lee
(left)
meets
Amir
of
the
State
of
Kuwait
His
Highness
Sheikh
Meshal
Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber
Al-Sabah
(right).
Mr
Lee
highlighted
that
Hong
Kong
enjoys
the
advantage
of
connecting
China
with
the
world
under
the
“one
country,
two
systems”
principle.
He
welcomed
the
Kuwaiti
Government
and
enterprises
to
utilise
Hong
Kong’s
role
as
a
“super
connector”
and
“super
value-adder”
to
explore
new
opportunities
under
the
Belt
and
Road
Initiative
for
mutual
benefit.
The Chief Executive led delegation members on several company visits in Kuwait. These included Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, where he introduced Hong Kong’s development opportunities and its highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment with its pool of professional services talent.
Mr Lee and the delegation also visited Zain Group, a major mobile telecommunications company, to learn about its business in innovative technologies and digital communications, and exchange views on topics such as drones, AI, and smart city development.
Mr
Lee
(second
right)
visits
the
Sheikh
Abdullah
Al
Salem
Cultural
Centre
in
Kuwait.
On
the
cultural
front,
Mr
Lee
toured
the
Sheikh
Abdullah
Al
Salem
Cultural
Centre
to
learn
about
Kuwait’s
arts
and
culture
projects
and
developments.
He
noted
that
both
Hong
Kong
and
Kuwait
place
importance
on
arts
and
culture
development,
and
he
said
he
looks
forward
to
further
deepening
connections
and
co-operation
in
cultural
exchanges
between
the
two
places.
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