********************************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, last night (January 28) started his visit to Riyadh by meeting the King of Saudi Arabia.
Mr Tsang, who is leading a high-level business delegation to the Middle East, called on H.M. King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Prime Minister, in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, before a meeting with H.R.H. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
Addressing a business luncheon today (January 29) co-organised with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Tsang outlined Hong Kong・s plan to develop a market for Islamic finance.
：In addition to financial linkages, I see great opportunities for expanding trade and tourism between our two places,； Mr Tsang said.
：There is considerable room to improve our bilateral trade, especially given Saudi Arabia・s dynamic expansion and our central position within Asia.
：Indeed, there is no better time to come and pay us a visit. From Monday (February 4), you will be able to take advantage of new regulations, which entitle Saudi nationals to 30 days visa-free stay in Hong Kong, up from the current two weeks.；
Earlier, the Chief Executive met the Governor of Riyadh, H.R.H. Prince Salman ibn Abdel Aziz Al Saud, the Minister of Finance, H.E. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr Hashim Bin Abdullah Bin Hashim Al-Yamani.
He later travelled to the United Arab Emirates, the final destination of his Middle Eastern tour, before returning to Hong Kong on February 1.
Ends/Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:42
NNNN
