During a five-day official visit to the Middle East, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee led a delegation that signed 59 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and agreements with Qatar and Kuwait, strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating travel and trade.
Effective from May 15, holders of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport can enjoy visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for up to 30 days. Additionally, the visa-free stay for Oman has been extended from 10 days to 14 days, easing travel restrictions and promoting tourism.
At the conclusion of his Middle East trip, John Lee announced the signing of 35 MOUs with Qatar and 24 with Kuwait. He described the visit as elevating Hong Kong’s relationship with these Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states to a “new height.”
Among the new agreements with Kuwait are collaborations in trade, investment promotion, and financial services. John Lee also highlighted ongoing negotiations between Hong Kong Customs and Kuwait Customs on the mutual recognition of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, which aims to streamline cross-border trade processes.
In the aviation sector, the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Kuwait Airways signed a new MOU to enhance flight connectivity and support talent development in the aviation industry, marking a significant step forward for regional air links.
John Lee emphasized that the delegation’s visit, conducted jointly with Mainland representatives, yielded six key outcomes. These include strengthening government-to-government contacts, expanding business networks, promoting cultural exchanges, advancing GCC free trade agreement talks, and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” for Mainland China and the Middle East.
He noted, “Middle Eastern countries are actively diversifying risks and seeking investment opportunities in China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. With the global economic center shifting eastward, Hong Kong is well positioned to benefit from boundless opportunities.”
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