Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 28, 2026
HKTDC Chairman Strengthens Hong Kong-Qatar-GCC Business Ties
TLDR
- HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma's Qatar visit positions Hong Kong as a super-connector, giving businesses a competitive edge in GCC markets.
- Prof Ma met Qatari ministers and business leaders, spoke at UNCTAD, and leveraged HKTDC's 51 offices to deepen Hong Kong-GCC ties.
- The visit fosters sustainable development and global partnerships, creating opportunities for better economic outcomes across regions.
- Hong Kong's One Country, Two Systems framework uniquely combines Chinese mainland access with common law and free capital flow, enabling global investment.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it signals Hong Kong's proactive efforts to deepen economic partnerships with the Middle East amid global geopolitical shifts. By engaging directly with Qatar's financial and trade leadership, the HKTDC is positioning Hong Kong as a vital gateway for investment and trade between the GCC, Asia, and beyond. For businesses, this could translate into new opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, technology, and manufacturing, as well as easier access to capital and markets. The visit reinforces Hong Kong's role as a super-connector under the One Country, Two Systems framework, which remains crucial for its long-term economic resilience and for companies looking to expand in the region.
Summary
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited Doha, Qatar, from 24 to 27 October at the invitation of the Qatari Government to strengthen long-term business ties between Hong Kong, Qatar, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). During the visit, he met with senior officials including Qatar's Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, and Bahrain's Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, as well as leaders from Invest Qatar, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Qatar Development Bank. Discussions focused on economic trends and investment opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, technology, and manufacturing, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a super-connector and super value-adder.
Speaking at the UNCTAD World Investment Forum session titled 'International Investment Facilitation Policies: Creating Partnerships for Sustainable Development,' Prof Ma emphasized Hong Kong's position as a trusted platform for global investment and trade, connecting capital, enterprises, and opportunities across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. He said, 'Despite current geopolitical volatility, I believe it is important to reach out and build important relationships to ensure long-term economic development around the world.' He underscored Hong Kong's unique advantages under the One Country, Two Systems arrangement, including connectivity to the Chinese Mainland and global markets, a common law-based business environment, free flow of capital, and global standards. He noted that the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) network of 51 offices worldwide helps connect people to create business success.
The visit is part of HKTDC's ongoing efforts to promote business connectivity between Hong Kong and emerging markets through business missions. Recent missions to Qatar and Kuwait in 2025, the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2023, and Central Asia in June have demonstrated the value of government-to-government, government-to-business, and business-to-business collaboration. HKTDC also featured a Middle East Chapter and Zone at the Belt and Road Summit in September 2026, attended by some 6,200 leaders from over 70 countries. This visit underscores Hong Kong's commitment to deepening ties with the GCC and positioning itself as a global investment hub.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, HKTDC Chairman Strengthens Hong Kong-Qatar-GCC Business Ties
