Hong Kong eyes Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern business ties in next chapter of belt and road plan
- Head of global trade scheme’s Hong Kong wing says city to concentrate efforts on countries in the two regions to ensure intermediate results
- ‘Some of our visits will be official delegations by different government departments to attract enterprises and investment’, official adds
Hong Kong will focus on business collaborations with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries under the country’s belt and road plan, the head of the initiative’s local wing has said amid plans to launch a festival championing the scheme among residents.
Commissioner for Belt and Road Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, who oversees Hong Kong’s role in the national drive, on Saturday said Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia offered prime areas for exploring cooperation this year.
He added that the city’s efforts needed to be more concentrated to ensure intermediate results as Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to create a China-centred trade network covered more than 100 countries.
“This year, we are preparing to go to Asean and Middle East countries, and we will also explore Central Asia regions,” he told a radio programme. “Some of our visits will be official delegations by different government departments to attract enterprises and investment, and we will also hold some business missions with professional services, the young groups and start‑ups.”
The Hong Kong government earlier announced plans to launch business missions targeting five belt and road countries this year.
The missions will organise visits to the Greater Bay Area for Hong Kong-based enterprises from belt and road countries to promote the city as a service hub for entry into the mainland Chinese market.
Ho said the countries mentioned on Saturday had expressed a particular interest in the city’s green developments in terms of finance, professional service, certification, technology and start-ups.