HKETO Dubai strengthens Hong Kong-Oman economic ties, promotes Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area advantages through business forum in Oman
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (HKETO Dubai) hosted the Oman-Hong Kong Business Forum in Muscat, capital of Oman on July 7 (Muscat time). The forum brought together more than 150 participants from local government organisations and the business community in Oman to strengthen economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Oman, while promoting the business opportunities in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to the local community.
Co-organised by HKETO Dubai and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and supported by Invest Oman, the forum highlighted Hong Kong's key role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland, in particular the GBA, and underscored HKETO Dubai's mission to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of HKETO Dubai, Mr Simon Chan, highlighted the office's role as a bridge between Hong Kong and the Gulf region by strengthening government-to-government ties, facilitating business connections, and showcasing the many opportunities Hong Kong offers as a world-class business and financial centre.
"Oman-China relations have grown continuously, with China being Oman's largest trading partner and Oman being a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI). This strategic partnership is not only driving co-operation under the B&RI, but also aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040 for economic diversification. In recent years, this collaboration has evolved beyond traditional trade, energy, and infrastructure; and is actively scaling into high-growth, next-generation frontiers, such as renewable energy, advanced technology, and digital economy. Hong Kong plays an important role in this flourishing partnership," he said.
Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong's unique role under the "one country, two systems" principle as the best gateway connecting international businesses with the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asian markets, as well as the city's strengths as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" linking China with the rest of the world, making it an ideal platform for Omani businesses seeking to access the Chinese Mainland and expand across Asia.
The forum also showcased Hong Kong's unparalleled advantages as a core engine of the GBA, one of the world's largest and most dynamic economic regions with vast opportunities. Speakers at the forum included Head of Marketing of Invest Oman, Ms Juhaina Al Balushi; Regional Director of Middle East and Africa of the HKTDC, Mr Daniel Lam; Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Mr Sultan Abdulla; and Deputy Director of Middle East and Africaof the HKTDC, Mr Nassif Mahfoud.
HKETO Dubai is committed to supporting and promoting the "Economic and Trade Express" functional platform - established through the joint efforts of economic and trade offices, InvestHK and the HKTDC - to assist Hong Kong small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in exploring overseas markets, while attracting more enterprises to invest and establish operations in Hong Kong.
HKETO Dubai strengthens Hong Kong-Oman economic ties, promotes Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area advantages through business forum in Oman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Dubai strengthens Hong Kong-Oman economic ties, promotes Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area advantages through business forum in Oman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Dubai strengthens Hong Kong-Oman economic ties, promotes Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area advantages through business forum in Oman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 13) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.
In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:
- Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
- Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
- Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
- Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
- Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.
In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:
- Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
- The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
- Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.
The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.
Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
- While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
- Seek shade;
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.
Source: AI-found images
