Trade and business ties between Hong Kong and Qatar are poised to strengthen, following a delegation visit led by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

The delegation, which included over 50 leaders from the Hong Kong government and business sectors as well as representatives from enterprises in seven mainland provinces and cities, visited Doha, the capital of Qatar, and Lusail, its second-largest city, from 10 to 12 May.

During the visit, 35 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and announcements were delivered, laying the groundwork for enhanced collaborations across government, business and civil society.

In the business sector, chambers of commerce, business associations, and investment bodies from both sides signed MoUs, while several banks, financial institutions, and companies in the transportation and technology sectors also announced cooperative measures.

Further announcements were made by government departments dealing with trade and industry, justice, and customs, as well as by professional associations such as the Law Society.

A major initiative was the announcement of visa-free entry for Qatari residents to Hong Kong as well as a waiver for Hong Kong SAR passport holders on visas for stays in Qatar up to 30 days.

During the visit, the delegation met a wide range of Qatari organisations to explore collaboration opportunities in finance, professional services, construction and real estate, transport and logistics, green development, innovation and technology, energy and manufacturing.

The delegation had meetings with business chambers, including the Qatari Businessmen Association and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and government bodies, including Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Development Bank.

Cooperation in technology featured prominently on the agenda during a visit to the education and research-focused Qatar Foundation where the delegates discussed partnerships for technology transfer and start-up support with the Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar Science & Technology Park, and Education City. The visit provided insights into how Hong Kong’s technological advancements might align with Qatar’s strategic focus areas.

In Lusail - currently in development to become a modern, sustainable, and smart city - the delegation explored collaboration opportunities for Hong Kong’s smart city solution providers.

After leaving Qatar, the delegation will visit Kuwait on 13-15 May, adding to the expanding volume of contact with the Middle East in recent years which includes previous missions to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2023. Aimed at strengthening economic and trade ties between Hong Kong, the mainland and the Middle East, the visit signals the city’s continuing effort to find new trade partners against an uncertain global backdrop.

Mr Lee remarked: “As both economies diversify, co-operation becomes our greatest multiplier. Uniting Qatar’s transformative drive, Mainland China’s expertise, and Hong Kong’s connectivity will help us realise a future of diverse, and boundless, opportunities.”

According to HKTDC research, in 2024 Qatar was Hong Kong’s third largest trading partner in the Middle East and accounted for 6.6% of Hong Kong’s total trade with the region. Major export items from Hong Kong to Qatar include engines, motors and jewellery, while oil and gas form the bulk of imports.