CE meets Secretary-General of Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (with photo)

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     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, at Government House today (April 25). Also present at the meeting were the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.

     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Albudaiwi's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation. Mr Lee said he is pleased to meet with Mr Albudaiwi in Hong Kong again since they last met during his visit to Saudi Arabia in February last year to exchange views on further strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and GCC member states in such areas as trade, investment, finance and technology.

     Noting that GCC member states are Hong Kong's valued trading and investment partners, Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has actively forged close ties with GCC member states in order to promote exchanges on various aspects. As part of these efforts, the HKSAR Government held the eighth Belt and Road Summit with the addition of the Middle East Forum last September to focus on the new developments and opportunities arising from the Middle East markets under the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, while the Asian Financial Forum held in January this year was well received with many political and business leaders of GCC member states. In addition, the principal officials of the HKSAR Government have visited a number of GCC member countries to learn more about the latest developments of the Arab States of the Gulf and introduce Hong Kong's development opportunities to local political, business and professional sector leaders. Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government is planning to establish an Economic and Trade Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a view to continuously enhancing the economic and trade relations with GCC member states.

     Mr Lee welcomed enterprises and investors of the GCC member states to capitalise on Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, as a strategic location on the doorstep of Mainland China, as well as its world-class financial infrastructure and rich pool of professionals, to tap into the vast opportunities offered by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

     The GCC consists of six member states, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Ends/Thursday, April 25, 2024
Issued at HKT 17:30

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The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (right), meets with the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi (left), at Government House today (April 25).