The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued his visit to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 9 (Dubai time), meeting with the Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
      
     Highlighting that this is his first time to lead a delegation to visit the UAE since assuming office, Mr Lee said he hopes that the trip can strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and the UAE on various fronts. He said the UAE is a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, which developed several major projects with China, adding that Hong Kong has the necessary supporting facilities for the projects and can provide financing support, architectural design, as well as related professional services required for those projects.
      
     Mr Lee noted that the UAE was Hong Kong's 14th largest trading partner in the world in 2021 which the bilateral trade grew to about US$12.8 billion, representing an increase of 35 per cent over 2020. Hong Kong was the UAE's 9th largest trading partner in 2020, with 4.1 per cent average annual growth rate in bilateral trade between 2017 and 2021. As at November 2022, there were 36 companies in Hong Kong representing parent companies located in the UAE, in which four of them are regional headquarters, reflecting the enormous business opportunities in these two places.
      
     Mr Lee and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation then visited the Museum of the Future. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation (the Foundation) which was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the museum incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, theater and themed attractions, allowing visitors to explore how society could evolve in future using science and technology. Noting that the Central authorities are all supportive for Hong Kong's development into an international I&T hub and Hong Kong promulgated the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint last year to establish a clear development path and formulate systematic strategic planning for Hong Kong's I&T development over the next five to 10 years, Mr Lee said that he looks forward to more collaborations on I&T with the Foundation in future.
      
     During his visit, Mr Lee and the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications of UAE, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, Mr Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Hong Kong Cyberport and Dubai Future Foundation, forming a useful basis for technology co-operation and exchange of ideas between them.
      
     Mr Lee will continue his last day of visit in the UAE today (February 10, Dubai time).

Ends/Friday, February 10, 2023
Issued at HKT 8:00

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