The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, started his visit programme in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 7 (Abu Dhabi time).

     The delegation led by Mr Lee attended 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. Speaking at the forum, Mr Lee noted that the UAE is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, and that Hong Kong will capitalise on its advantages as an international financial centre and the world’s largest offshore Renminbi business hub to facilitate the UAE’s active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

     Mr Lee 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 respectively, which promoted further co-operation between the two places on industry, commerce and trade.

     The delegation led by Mr Lee then visited an Abu Dhabi enterprise, Aldar Properties PJSC to learn more about the real estate development and investment there. They also visited the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Company and met with its Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr 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, and discuss the collaboration opportunities with Hong Kong enterprises.

     Mr Lee then met with the Chief Executive Officer of a local tech firm G42, Mr Xiao Peng, to introduce the enormous business opportunities in Hong Kong and to invite the company to grasp investment opportunities in the city.

     Mr Lee later had a meeting with the Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mr 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.

     In the evening, the delegation led by Mr Lee attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE, Mr Zhang Yiming. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for its staunch support to the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, and making detailed arrangements for the visit.

     Mr Lee will continue his visit in Abu Dhabi, the UAE today (February 8, Abu Dhabi time), and will depart for Dubai, the UAE later on.

     ​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, started his visit programme in Bangkok, Thailand, today (November 17) to attend related activities of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).


      


     Upon arrival, Mr Lee met with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha. He expressed gratitude to Thailand for its leadership in resuming physical meetings in APEC at all levels this year. Noting that Hong Kong has been actively seeking to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and had formally lodged the accession request this January, Mr Lee appealed for Thailand’s support. He pointed out that Hong Kong can make contributions to achieving mutual benefits among RCEP economies through Hong Kong’s free and open trade as well as its status as an international financial centre.


      


     Mr Lee added that Hong Kong is now back on the global stage and he looked forward to many more high-level official exchanges between Hong Kong and Thailand to reinforce bilateral trade, investment and cultural ties.


      


     Later at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Mr Lee welcomed President Xi Jinping, who arrived to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and visit Thailand. He also met the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Han Zhiqiang, and chatted with representatives of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.


      


     In the evening, Mr Lee, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended a Gala Dinner hosted by the organiser for participating leaders, and watched cultural performances.


      


     Mr Lee will attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and other related meetings tomorrow (November 18).