The Bulletin

Chamber in Review

The Bulletin. May 2025

International Connections

It was a pleasure to welcome Abdulla Alnoaimi, United Arab Emirates Commercial Attaché to the People’s Republic of China, to the Chamber on 23 April, accompanied by UAE’s Consul General in Hong Kong, Shaikh Saoud Al Mualla, and Ahmed Elbeshlawy, Economic Analyst.
HKGCC Chairman Agnes Chan and members welcomed the visitors, who discussed “Investopia – Hong Kong Edition,” which will take place in Hong Kong in mid-September. The investment platform aims to facilitate global collaboration between investors, business leaders and governments to identify and launch new investment opportunities, promote economic growth and incubate future economies worldwide.
Alnoaimi highlighted the significance of the Hong Kong-UAE partnership and how both economies serve as the main entry points to surrounding regions. The UAE also aims to attract more investments by allowing full foreign ownership of businesses, facilitating easy repatriation of funds, and establishing sectoral free trade zones, among other incentives. As such, it has drawn around 15,500 Chinese companies to operate in the UAE, often as a hub for entering MENA markets.
Chan emphasized the importance of deepening connections with the UAE through co-organizing events and visits, and also explained the many benefits Hong Kong can offer UAE companies.

Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq in the United Arab Emirates, and his colleagues visited the Chamber on 8 April to learn more about the development and application of innovation and advanced technologies in Hong Kong. Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan, CEO Patrick Yeung, and leaders from the Asia, Africa & Middle East and Innovation Data & Communication committees welcomed the guests.
Al Ghurair highlighted Mashreq Group’s significant presence in the MENA region and South Asia, with a strong track record of over 40 years in Hong Kong. Leveraging its expertise in these regions, Mashreq is well-positioned to complement international banking institutions focused on traditional markets, aligning with Hong Kong’s strategy to tap into the emerging market economy.
Tarek El Nahas, Head of International Banking at Mashreq Group, emphasized the crucial role of local partners in facilitating overseas expansion. He noted the underrepresentation of Chinese brands in the Middle East and proposed that Mashreq’s reputation and support could provide liquidity when establishing a new branch.
Chan noted the importance of local partners in market familiarization, citing the Government’s initiatives on regional collaboration during the CPPCC Standing Committee Session. Timothy Tam, Vice Chairman of the Innovation Data & Communication Committee, shared the interests of start-ups and green technologies partners in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and suggested opportunities for collaboration.

In collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Europe Committee hosted a briefing and networking session on 1 April with a visiting delegation of experts from Verisk Maplecroft.
Reema Bhattacharya, Head of Asia Risk Insight, Kaho Yu, Head of Energy and Resources, and Arun Pillai-Essex, Principal Consultant, APAC, delivered an insightful presentation on the potential implications of rising geopolitical tensions, including U.S. trade actions, for businesses in Asia and how this is transforming the region’s operating environment. The event was held under Chatham House Rules.

Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee

Exploring Collaboration with the UAE

HKGCC Chairman Agnes Chan and members welcomed the visitors, who discussed “Investopia – Hong Kong Edition,” which will take place in Hong Kong in mid-September. The investment platform aims to facilitate global collaboration between investors, business leaders and governments to identify and launch new investment opportunities, promote economic growth and incubate future economies worldwide.

Alnoaimi highlighted the significance of the Hong Kong-UAE partnership and how both economies serve as the main entry points to surrounding regions. The UAE also aims to attract more investments by allowing full foreign ownership of businesses, facilitating easy repatriation of funds, and establishing sectoral free trade zones, among other incentives. As such, it has drawn around 15,500 Chinese companies to operate in the UAE, often as a hub for entering MENA markets.

Chan emphasized the importance of deepening connections with the UAE through co-organizing events and visits, and also explained the many benefits Hong Kong can offer UAE companies.

Hong Kong-UAE: Bridging Markets

Al Ghurair highlighted Mashreq Group’s significant presence in the MENA region and South Asia, with a strong track record of over 40 years in Hong Kong. Leveraging its expertise in these regions, Mashreq is well-positioned to complement international banking institutions focused on traditional markets, aligning with Hong Kong’s strategy to tap into the emerging market economy.

Tarek El Nahas, Head of International Banking at Mashreq Group, emphasized the crucial role of local partners in facilitating overseas expansion. He noted the underrepresentation of Chinese brands in the Middle East and proposed that Mashreq’s reputation and support could provide liquidity when establishing a new branch.

Chan noted the importance of local partners in market familiarization, citing the Government’s initiatives on regional collaboration during the CPPCC Standing Committee Session. Timothy Tam, Vice Chairman of the Innovation Data & Communication Committee, shared the interests of start-ups and green technologies partners in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and suggested opportunities for collaboration.

Europe Committee

Key Geopolitical Risks in 2025

Reema Bhattacharya, Head of Asia Risk Insight, Kaho Yu, Head of Energy and Resources, and Arun Pillai-Essex, Principal Consultant, APAC, delivered an insightful presentation on the potential implications of rising geopolitical tensions, including U.S. trade actions, for businesses in Asia and how this is transforming the region’s operating environment. The event was held under Chatham House Rules.

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