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Hong Kong’s Paul Chan pledges second trip to Saudi Arabia to build Mideast ties

Finance chief announces plan to visit kingdom as Hong Kong becomes first city to host LEAP tech conference outside Saudi Arabia

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Financial Secretary Paul Chan (centre) attends the opening ceremony for LEAP East 2026. Photo: Handout
An attendee walks past an exhibit at LEAP East 2026. Photo: Sam Tsang
Attendees watch the event’s opening ceremony. Photo: Handout
Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong is making an effort to boost ties with the Middle East. Photo: Reuters
Wynna Wong

Hong Kong’s finance chief will lead another business delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year, announcing the news as the city hosted the first overseas edition of one of the kingdom’s top technology conferences as part of efforts to boost ties with the Middle East.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of LEAP East 2026 on Wednesday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also announced that the conference’s Hong Kong edition would continue to be held annually for the next three years.
For his second trip to Saudi Arabia since October 2025, Chan is set to front a delegation comprising representatives from companies focused on infrastructure, green technology, healthcare and advanced manufacturing, as well as professionals from the finance, investment and professional services sectors.

“Your ambitious transformation agenda, ‘Vision 2030’, inspires me on every visit,” Chan told Saudi officials at the event.

He was referring to the kingdom’s strategic development blueprint, which aims to significantly reduce its economic reliance on crude oil.

“There is enormous potential for us, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, to do more together. Both of us are gateways to our respective regions,” Chan said.

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