Hong Kong builds on UAE connections

The mission will be led by Mr. Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC). Accompanying Mr. Ma will be senior representatives of 33 Hong Kong firms from the two service sectors.

The business mission will meet with officials of the UAE government, along with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Securities & Commodities Authority and other business counterparts in the financial and property development sectors.

"Hong Kong has been doing business with the Middle East for years, covering a wide range of product sectors," said Jeff Ambjorn, Middle East director of the TDC.

"We are now beginning to take our business relations to the next level, offering companies in this region the world-class service expertise of Hong Kong companies."

For Middle East investors looking to diversify their investments beyond the traditional markets of Europe and the United States, the scale of opportunity in Asia is huge. And Hong Kong, as Asia's international financial centre, plays a key role in channeling investments into Asian and mainland Chinese companies.

Hong Kong also boasts a significant cluster of world-class professionals in interior design, architecture, project management, engineering, construction and property management. They can help developers and project owners realize construction plans efficiently and effectively.

The business mission follows a similar services mission from Hong Kong to Dubai in February 2006.