Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Chan Mao-po begins Qatar visit to promote Hong Kong's advantages and deepen cooperation between the two places

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 27, Doha time, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Chen Maobo arrived in Doha, Qatar to begin a local visit. He met separately with Zou Jiayi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Qatar's Finance Minister, and a number of government, business, financial, investment and business figures to exchange views on deepening cooperation.

When Chen Maobo and Zou Jiayi met, they had in-depth exchanges on topics such as deepening cooperation between the two sides, promoting regional infrastructure construction and sustainable development, and making better use of Hong Kong's financial market, professional services and talent advantages. Chen Maobo welcomed the AIIB's establishment of an office in Hong Kong and looked forward to expanding cooperation between the two sides to areas such as cataclysm bond issuance, green and transformational finance, technological innovation, and talent training.

When Chen Maobo met with Qatar Finance Minister H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, he discussed the international political, economic and financial situation, economic development policies between the two regions, and the direction of strengthening cooperation between the two sides. He said that the Middle East region is actively promoting diversification of the economic structure and diversified asset allocation under the current geopolitical situation, bringing new opportunities to expand cooperation between Hong Kong and Qatar. As an important functional platform for the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong can make full use of its advantages in finance, trade, infrastructure construction, innovation and technology development and professional services to meet Qatar's development needs and promote financial communication, two-way investment, and enterprise and industrial cooperation between the two places.

Chen Maobo then met with representatives of the Qatar Merchants Association and attended in-depth exchanges with business leaders from various industries, including local finance, insurance, trade, energy, and shipping. He introduced Hong Kong's unique advantages as a two-way platform connecting the mainland and the world under “one country, two systems”. He pointed out that on the one hand, Hong Kong relies on the motherland to allow international enterprises to easily and prioritize entry into the huge mainland China market; on the other hand, it continues to implement the common law system, maintain the free entry and exit of capital and the status of a free port, and its business rules are in line with the international community, providing a safe, familiar and friendly business environment for enterprises. He also introduced the opportunities brought by the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the development of the northern metropolitan area, particularly the development layout of “Southern Finance and North Innovation”, and welcomed Qatari enterprises and investors to participate in the construction of the northern metropolitan area to jointly expand business opportunities in the innovation and technology industry.

Chen Maobo said that the two sides can organize business delegations to exchange visits and discuss institutional cooperation in the fields of commerce and investment. He said that Hong Kong is willing to explore mutual recognition arrangements with the Qatar Stock Exchange to facilitate dual listing in Hong Kong for Qatari companies interested in expanding their business in China and the Asia-Pacific region, make good use of Hong Kong's international financing platform, absorb international and mainland capital, and support business development.

Chen Maobo also met separately with Doha Venture Capital CEO Mohammed Al-Abdulla, Qatar Investment Authority Chief Financial Officer Niall Byrne, and Investment Executive Director Ken McLaren to discuss strengthening two-way investment and industry cooperation.

In addition, Chen Maobo also met with the heads of Lesha Bank Group and Al Asmakh Group Holding, respectively, to brief them on Hong Kong's economic, financial, trade and innovation development, and encouraged them to establish a base, expand their business and invest in the innovation and technology industry in Hong Kong.