The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation and depart for a visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the afternoon on February 4 to enhance connections between Hong Kong and the two countries in various areas such as trade, investment and culture, with a view to realising vast business opportunities for Hong Kong, and telling the good stories of Hong Kong by promoting the city on all fronts.
      
     The Middle East region, with its vibrant development and unlimited potential, is a key link for the country's Belt and Road Initiative. This visit demonstrates the HKSAR's proactive participation in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.
      
     Members of the HKSAR delegation include the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Director of Information Services, Mr Fletch Chan; and the Acting Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Johann Wong.
      
     Members of the delegation also include more than 30 high-level representatives from various sectors, including finance, industrial and commercial, trade, professional services, infrastructure and development, innovation and technology, and transport and logistics.
      
     Mr Lee will visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 5 to 6. He will depart for Abu Dhabi, UAE, in the evening on February 6 and depart for Dubai, UAE, in the afternoon on February 8. During his visit, Mr Lee will meet with local political and business leaders, visit local enterprises, attend forums and exchange activities to introduce Hong Kong's latest developments and investment and business opportunities, as well as its unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Mr Lee will also promote the new developments and opportunities of Hong Kong and foster Hong Kong's exchanges and co-operation with Saudi Arabia and the UAE on all fronts.
      
     Mr Lee will also visit the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. There, he will be briefed on the office's plans and progress on the work of attracting businesses and talents as well as other areas.
      
     Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong in the morning on February 11. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive. During the absence of Mr Hui, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. During the absence of Mr Yau, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

Ends/Thursday, February 2, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:00

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