Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai commences operation (with photos)

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) commenced operation today (October 28). It is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's first ETO in the Middle East region and its opening will strengthen Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with trading partners in the region, in particular the six member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).
 
     The occasion was marked by an opening ceremony held at the Dubai ETO today. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Dubai ETO by way of a video message, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said the establishment of the Dubai ETO underscored the importance Hong Kong attaches to the partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the five other member states of the GCC. She noted that the new office would assist businesses and investors throughout the region to take advantage of Hong Kong's singular opportunities, including those brought about by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which back Hong Kong's rise as a global innovation and technology hub and support the enhancing of the city's long-standing strengths in financial services, trade and transport, together with its international development in such areas as culture, legal and dispute-resolution services and intellectual property trading.
 
     The opening ceremony was hosted by the Director-General of the Dubai ETO, Mr Damian Lee, and the officiating guests included the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, Mr Ni Jian; the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai, Mr Li Xuhang; the Deputy Director of the Dubai Office of the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Rashid Abdulla Al Qaseer; and the Assistant Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Mr Khalid Ibrahim Al Kassim.
 
     The GCC is one of Hong Kong's valued trading and investment partners and is home to over 50 million people. The total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the GCC amounted to $100 billion in 2020. With the GCC countries being committed to developing diversified economies, Hong Kong is eminently poised to provide tremendous opportunities for GCC companies and entrepreneurs aiming to expand their business portfolios, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, and extend their market presence to the Mainland and the Asia-Pacific region. There are various sectors of mutual interest, from new and traditional energy to smart city, transportation, logistics, financial technology, biotechnology and jewellery.
 
     The geographical coverage of the Dubai ETO includes the six member states of the GCC, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
 
     The location and contact details of the Dubai ETO are as follows:
 
Address: Unit OT 27-34, 27/F, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, PO Box 333724, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (0)4 453 3800
Fax: +971 (0)4 453 3899
Website: www.hketodubai.gov.hk
Email: enquiry@hketodubai.gov.hk
 
     The HKSAR Government has been actively expanding the network of overseas ETOs to enhance external promotion and exchanges, seeking new business opportunities for Hong Kong. The Dubai ETO is Hong Kong's 14th overseas ETO and is the second overseas ETO set up by the current-term Government, following the establishment of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok in February 2019. The ETOs are Hong Kong's official representation overseas, and promote Hong Kong's interests and reputation and work to strengthen ties with relevant countries on economic, trade, cultural and other matters. Overseas ETOs closely monitor developments that might affect Hong Kong's interests, and liaise closely with the commercial and industrial sectors, politicians and foreign media. They also arrange or co-organise promotional events with other overseas Hong Kong organisations to promote Hong Kong's advantages and latest developments.