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 Government of the State of Qatar, to strengthen long-term business ties between Hong Kong, Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The visit underscores Hong Kong’s role as a global financial centre and its efforts to connect with emerging markets in the Middle East.
During the visit, Prof Ma 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, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, and 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 potential strategic partnerships leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector and super value-adder.
Prof Ma also spoke at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Forum in a session titled “International Investment Facilitation Policies: Creating Partnerships for Sustainable Development.” He shared how Hong Kong, as one of the world’s top international financial centres, serves as a trusted platform for global investment and trade, connecting capital, enterprises and opportunities across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and beyond. “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,” Prof Ma said. “Hong Kong, under the unique One Country, Two Systems arrangement, combines connectivity to the Chinese Mainland and global markets with an international business environment based on common law, the free flow of capital and global standards, is an effective platform to deepen relationships across regions to facilitate more business and investment.”
The visit is part of HKTDC’s broader efforts to promote business connectivity between Hong Kong and emerging markets. The council has organised business missions to Qatar and Kuwait in 2025, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in 2023, and most recently Central Asia in June. These missions demonstrate the value of government-to-government, government-to-business and business-to-business collaboration in creating new opportunities for trade and investment. HKTDC also featured a special Middle East Chapter and a Middle East Zone at the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong in September 2026, attended by some 6,200 business and government leaders from over 70 countries and regions.
With over 50 offices globally, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. It organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs. The council also provides market insights via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels.
The visit comes as Hong Kong seeks to reinforce its position as a gateway between China and the world, particularly amid shifting global economic dynamics. By deepening ties with Qatar and the GCC, Hong Kong aims to facilitate more investment flows and business partnerships, benefiting its economy and reinforcing its status as an international financial hub.
