INVESTHK VISITS MIDDLE EAST TO ATTRACT BUSINESS INVESTMENT TO HONG KONG

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to the Middle East from today (April 6) to April 10, with key engagements in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 6 April 2025 - Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to the Middle East from today (April 6) to April 10, with key engagements in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit underscores Hong Kong's commitment to deepening economic ties with these dynamic markets and promoting the city as a premier gateway for Middle Eastern businesses seeking opportunities on the Mainland and in the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Hong Kong has a strong, long-standing and ever-growing relationship with the Gulf region including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, marked by increasing co-operation in finance, trade, and investment. The city's merchandise trade with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf reached US$21.6 billion in 2023. These partnerships are further strengthened through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, which fosters greater connectivity and economic opportunities.

"Amid an increasingly complex global landscape and geopolitical uncertainties, countries in the Middle East are actively diversifying their investments. Hong Kong, as a global financial centre and a 'super connector' between the Mainland, Asia, and the rest of the world, is uniquely positioned to support this shift," said Mr Ng. "Under the 'one country, two systems' principle, our city offers a robust legal system, free flow of capital and information, and internationally aligned regulations. Beyond finance, Hong Kong is also a hub for trade, logistics, innovation and professional services. It serves as a gateway for Middle Eastern partners to tap into the Mainland and the broader Asia-Pacific region."

As part of its commitment to financial diversification, the city has developed a supportive platform for Islamic finance, including sukuk issuance and tax law amendments to ensure a level playing field with conventional bonds and the successful launch of three government sukuk. It continues to welcome more Islamic financial institutions and products to leverage Hong Kong's international financial platform and tap into opportunities across Asia and the Mainland.

During his visit to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, Mr Ng will participate in numerous high-level business roundtables co-organised with Asia House, bringing together representatives from prominent businesses, family offices, and investors. He will also meet with representatives from leading Middle Eastern companies and discuss how establishing a presence in Hong Kong can drive their global expansion strategies.

These engagements aim to strengthen economic ties, foster collaboration, and attract more businesses from the Middle East to invest and expand through Hong Kong. By leveraging Hong Kong's unique position as a global financial and multinational supply chain management hub, InvestHK seeks to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships that drive innovation and growth across regions.

By InvestHK

Source: VIR

Related News

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

VIETNAM EXPANDS INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT NETWORK TO 19

The two newly added ICDs are Cai Mep in HCMC and Tan Cang-Moc Bai (phase one) in Tay Ninh Province. Cai Mep ICD, located in Cai Mep Industrial Park in Tan Phuoc Ward, HCMC and developed by Cai Mep International Logistics JSC, covers 9.15 hectares and has an annual handling capacity of about 133,000 TEUs, according to the Government news site (baochinhphu.vn).

Apr 09, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

HCMC CREDIT UP 1.5% IN Q1

Outstanding loans in the city reached an estimated VND5.28 quadrillion, up 0.77% from the previous month and 16.25% year-on-year, data from the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 showed. Vietnam dong loans accounted for 96.1% of total credit and rose 1.46% from the end of 2025. Medium- and long-term lending made up 55% of total outstanding loans and increased 3.22%.

Apr 09, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.

Apr 09, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYEES’ AVERAGE INCOME INCREASES

Average monthly income of workers in the first quarter reached VND9 million, up 3.8% from the previous quarter and 8.5% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Male workers earned an average of VND10.1 million per month, compared with VND7.7 million for female workers. In urban areas, average income reached VND10.7 million per month, while in rural areas it was VND7.9 million.

Apr 09, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

HCMC KICKS OFF OVER 10 PROJECTS DURING APRIL

Work will start on major projects in transportation, urban development and logistics sectors in HCMC this month, coinciding with Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30. They include the N3 ramp at the An Phu interchange with an investment of VND3.4 trillion and the 1.69-hectare Tan Chanh Hiep Park. In addition to these, seven other projects are slated to break ground within the month, including the Ho Tram – Long Thanh airport urban expressway, the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port area and the Ho Chi Minh Museum expansion.

Apr 09, 2026

HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT

VIETNAM’S Q1 FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS HIT RECORD HIGH

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, bringing first quarter foreign tourist arrivals to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year and marking a record high for the period, the national authority for tourism said. Air travel accounted for 82.3% of international arrivals, followed by land at 15.5% and sea at 2.2%, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Apr 09, 2026