FS begins visit to Qatar (with photos/video)
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During his meeting with Ms Zou, Mr Chan had an in-depth exchange on issues including deepening co-operation between the two sides, promoting regional infrastructure development and sustainable development, and making better use of Hong Kong's strengths in financial markets, professional services and talent. Mr Chan welcomed the AIIB's establishment of an office in Hong Kong, and looked forward to expanding co-operation between the two sides to areas such as catastrophe bond issuance, green and transition finance, technology and innovation, and talent training.
Mr Chan met with Qatar's Minister of Finance, H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, yesterday morning to discuss the international political, economic and financial landscape, the economic development policies of the two places, and the direction for strengthening co-operation between the two sides. He said that the Middle East is actively promoting economic diversification and diversified asset allocation amid the current geopolitical situation, bringing new opportunities for Hong Kong and Qatar to expand co-operation. As an important functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong can leverage its strengths in finance, trade, infrastructure development, innovation and technology, and professional services to complement Qatar's development needs, and promote capital flows, two-way investment, as well as business and industry collaboration between the two places.
Mr Chan then met with representatives of the Qatari Businessmen Association. Business leaders from various sectors including finance, insurance, trade, energy and shipping attended the meeting, at which the two sides had in-depth exchanges. He introduced Hong Kong's unique advantages under "one country, two systems" as a two-way platform connecting the Mainland and the world. He pointed out that Hong Kong, on the one hand, enjoys the strong support of the motherland, enabling international enterprises to conveniently, and even with priority, access the vast Chinese Mainland market; and on the other hand continues to practise the common law system, maintain the free flow of capital and its status as a free port, and keep its business rules aligned with international standards, thereby providing enterprises with a safe, familiar and business-friendly environment. He also introduced the opportunities brought about by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis, in particular the development layout of "South North Dual Engine (Finance IT)", and welcomed Qatari enterprises and investors to participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis and jointly explore business opportunities in Innovation and Technology (I&T) industries.
Mr Chan said that the two sides could organise reciprocal visits by business delegations and explore institutional co-operation in areas such as commerce, trade and investment. He said that Hong Kong would be pleased to explore establishing mutual recognition arrangements with the Qatar Stock Exchange, so as to facilitate dual listings in Hong Kong by Qatari enterprises wishing to expand their businesses in China and the Asia-Pacific region, enabling them to make good use of Hong Kong's international fundraising platform to attract international and Mainland capital in support of their business development.
Mr Chan also met respectively with the Chief Executive Officer of Doha Venture Capital, Mr Mohammed Al-Abdulla, and the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Niall Byrne, and the Chief Investment Execution, Mr Ken McLaren, of the Qatar Investment Authority to explore ways to strengthen two-way investment and industry collaboration.
In addition, Mr Chan met respectively with the senior management of Lesha Bank Group and Al Asmakh Group Holding. He briefed them on Hong Kong's economic, financial, trade and I&T development, and encouraged them to establish a presence in Hong Kong, expand their businesses and invest in I&T industries.
In the evening, Mr Chan attended the AIIB President's Reception hosted by Ms Zou, where he exchanged views with representatives of governments, multilateral development organisations, financial institutions and the business sector from various places.
Mr Chan will continue his visit in Doha today (September 28, Doha time), attend events related to the AIIB Annual Meeting, and depart for Hong Kong late at night.
Ends/Monday, September 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 9:00
Issued at HKT 9:00
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