Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Summit to feature new session devoted to Middle East and largest number of delegates from region yet
- Summit focus on Middle East part of drive to create stronger relationships with region and Southeast Asia, both included in China’s plan to grow global trade
- Algernon Yau, Hong Kong commerce and economic development secretary, says city and Middle East share development aims and make good partners
The Belt and Road Summit that Hong Kong is hosting in September will feature a new session dedicated to the Middle East, as well as a record number of speakers and investment projects from the region.
The development was announced Thursday as the city continued efforts to forge stronger links with emerging economies amid a shifting geopolitical situation.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who will address the summit’s opening session, made two trips earlier this year to foster closer relationships with countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, both of which are covered by the belt and road strategy, mainland China’s plan to grow global trade.
“We hope to open doors of these economies for Hong Kong businesses, so that our businesses can enter the Middle East market and grow further into the Asean market,” Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah said.
“We also hope to bring the funds and enterprises from the Middle East into Hong Kong.”
Yau added Lee’s two trips underlined the need for Hong Kong to tap into emerging markets in Asia to boost its growth and that the city was well-suited to cater to the requirements of Middle Eastern countries.