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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (January 26) led a high-level business delegation to Kuwait.
This is the Chief Executive's first visit to the Middle East since he took up office in 2005.
The Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait, Mr Wu Jiuhong, greeted Mr Tsang at the airport, with H.E. Sheikh Dr Salem Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Advisor to the Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr Bader Salih Al-Thunaib, Kuwait's Consul-General to Hong Kong.
After a tour of the Kuwait oilfields to examine the damage caused by Iraq's invasion in 1990, and a rehabilitation site showing what can be done to deal with the ecological effects of the war, Mr Tsang met H.E. Sheikh Dr Ibraheem Duajj Al-Sabah, the Governor of Ahmadi Governate, and senior executives of the Kuwait Oil Company.
"This was a fascinating introduction to the region and I look forward to making contact with more government officials and business leaders during the trip," he said.
At a press briefing later, he said revenue from oil reserves in the Middle East amounted to US$1 trillion a year and this money needed an outlet for investment.
Mr Tsang said Hong Kong had a sound legal system and the hardware and software necessary to fulfil this role.
Hong Kong provided the best platform to make the best of the investment opportunities available in China.
After two more days in Kuwait Mr Tsang will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He is accompanied on the visit by the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Norman Chan; the Private Secretary to Chief Executive, Mr Kenneth Mak; and the Information Co-ordinator, Mr Andy Ho.
Ends/Saturday, January 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:51
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