Sohar International Launches First Omani Bank Office in Hong Kong, Strengthening Asia-Middle East Financial Ties.

Omani bank Sohar International advances global reach with new Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (September 10) welcomed Sohar International's launch of its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking the first Omani bank having a presence in the city. As the Bank's first location outside the Middle East, this strategic expansion underscores its commitment to driving cross-border banking, trade and investment amid deepening economic ties linking Oman and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) to the Chinese Mainland and Asia via Hong Kong.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, highlighted that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government warmly welcomes the opening of Sohar International's representative office - the first presence of an Omani bank in Hong Kong, and Sohar International's first office in Asia. Its arrival affirms confidence in Hong Kong as an international financial centre and a gateway connecting the Middle East, the Chinese Mainland and Asia. Oman's strategic position along the maritime Belt and Road, combined with Hong Kong's strengths in capital markets, asset and wealth management, banking, professional services and offshore Renminbi business, can facilitate trade, investment and project financing. Hong Kong-Oman collaboration is already taking good shape, including the Oman Investment Authority's plan to participate in Hong Kong's vibrant startup ecosystem by investing up to HK$250 million as a partner to the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund. Under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong serves as a "super connector" and "super value-adder". HKSAR Government looks forward to deepening financial links with Sohar International, helping businesses find the right opportunities in the Gulf and across Asia, and turning new connections into lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Guests of honour attending the opening ceremony included the Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry of Oman, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai; Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Mr Pankaj Khimji; the Deputy President of the Oman Investment Authority for Operations, Mr Muneer Ali Al-Muneeri; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sohar International, Mr Said Mohamed Al-Aufi; and the Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, Mr Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said that InvestHK is proud to have facilitated Sohar International's setup in Hong Kong, from its business delegation to Oman in May 2025 to high-level government exchanges and local regulatory alignment. Beyond enriching Hong Kong's banking sector, Sohar International's arrival enables businesses to reimagine what the stronger investment ties between the Middle East and Asia can achieve, capitalising on the city's strengths in fundraising, risk management, and professional services. Sohar International will also serve as a key partner for Chinese enterprises seeking to expand into Oman and the wider GCC.

Mr Abdulwahid said that Sohar International's presence in Hong Kong is a strategic step in its international growth, offering closer access to one of the world's most important financial and commercial centres and a stronger platform from which to engage with investors, financial institutions, businesses and strategic partners across China and Asia. The Bank's objective is to turn this connectivity into tangible opportunities for Oman and its clients - attracting investment and capital into the Sultanate, supporting Omani businesses seeking to access Asian markets, and creating stronger channels for investment, trade, and business between Asia, Oman and the wider GCC.

On the sidelines of the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, Sohar International signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding, with an Asia- and a GCC-focused alternative asset manager respectively to foster institutional ties, facilitate cross-border investment and capital flows, and unlock new opportunities linking China and Asia with Oman and the wider GCC.

Sohar International is Oman's fastest-growing bank and the second-largest bank in the Sultanate by total assets, offering services across commercial and investment banking, wealth management, and Islamic finance. Building on its expansion into Saudi Arabia, the Bank's presence in Hong Kong will support its goal of driving greater two-way connectivity between Oman and Asia, bringing international and Chinese investors, institutions and opportunities closer to Oman while developing stronger relationships for Omani businesses across international markets.

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Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (September 10) welcomed Sohar International's launch of its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking the first Omani bank having a presence in the city. Photo shows (from left) Executive Chairwoman of Gaosheng Fund and member of 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ms Zhou Chunling; the Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, Mr Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam; the Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry of Oman, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai; the Deputy President of the Oman Investment Authority for Operations, Mr Muneer Ali Al Muneeri; the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sohar International, Mr Said Mohamed Al-Aufi; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Sophia Chong, and Senior Vice President, Fintech at InvestHK, Ms Peggy Kwok, officiating at the eye-dotting ceremony for the lion dance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (September 10) welcomed Sohar International's launch of its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking the first Omani bank having a presence in the city. Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (front row, centre); the Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry of Oman, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai (front row, fourth right); the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sohar International, Mr Said Mohamed Al-Aufi (front row, fourth left); the Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, Mr Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi (front row, third right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam (front row, third left); the Deputy President of the Oman Investment Authority for Operations, Mr Muneer Ali Al Muneeri (front row, second right); the Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation of Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Mr Pankaj Khimji (front row, second left); the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho (front row, first left); the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau (front row, first right), and other guests at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong today (September 10) welcomed Sohar International's launch of its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking the first Omani bank having a presence in the city. Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (second left) and the Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry of Oman, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai (right left), officiating at the gong-striking ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong today (September 10) welcomed Sohar International's launch of its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking the first Omani bank having a presence in the city. Photo shows the Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, Mr Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, speaking at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (September 10) welcomed Sohar International's launch of its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking the first Omani bank having a presence in the city. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, speaking at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the launch event of Sohar International Bank in Hong Kong today (September 10). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the launch event of Sohar International Bank in Hong Kong today (September 10). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development

To strengthen the promotion of green cooperation under the Belt and Road (B&R), the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) have established a B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform. By connecting with the network of the International Green Development Coalition for the Belt and Road Regions (IGDC), the platform facilitates exchange and cooperation among B&R countries and regions in green technology, policy and capacitybuilding. The Second General Assembly of Members of the IGDC was held today (October 25) in Hong Kong.

Under the "One Country, Two Systems", HongKong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. The IGDC's decision to hold the annual meeting in HongKong helps members access international markets, deepen international cooperation and expand a global partnership network, and reflects the IGDC's recognition of HongKong's bridge-building role in the green B&R Initiative.

At this year's annual meeting, the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, was elected as a council member of the IGDC. Sino Group and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited were admitted as the IGDC's new member organisations, together with Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (IGDC member of year 2025), further strengthening the IGDC's collaborative capacity in HongKong.

Dr Chui said at the meeting that HongKong has been actively serving the roles of "super connector" and "super valueadder", providing a platform for linking green technologies, green finance and green standards. Relying on its sound legal system, professional services and internationaloriented business environment, HongKong can assist B&R countries in advancing their green transition.

Dr Chui added, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has consistently taken concrete actions to participate in the green B&R Initiative. We have successfully implemented a number of works this year, including the establishment of the B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform in HongKong with the IGDC, the set up of the B&R sustainable green development training centre, and the organisation of the B&R Green Innovation Conference 2026 which will open tomorrow. This year's innovation conference is the first time to be held outside the Mainland. HongKong will continue to leverage its strengths and contribute to the nation's high-quality co-construction of green B&R."

As a new member of the IGDC, Sino Group attaches great importance to and actively supports the national B&R green development strategy, and is committed to promoting green technological innovation and synergistic collaboration among industry, academia, and research sectors. The Group is planning to collaborate with the EEB of the HKSAR Government to establish an Asia-Pacific B&R green technology center for industry, academia, and research in the Northern Metropolis as a training, exchange and exhibition platform, showcasing green technology prototypes and innovative achievements from members of the IGDC, covering fields such as marine technology. It will foster deep integration across industry, academia, and research sectors, transform technological outcomes, align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to contribute to the green B&R Initiative, and leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths as a "super connector."

The IGDC was jointly initiated and established by the MEE and partners from the Mainland and overseas. It aims to build an international consensus on green development, and to initiate open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international cooperation and action on green development. By providing implementing pathways such as promotable sustainable technical solutions, verifiable green finance instruments, sharable digital and intelligent empowerment platforms and replicable capacity building paradigms, it aims to help promote sustainable development and build a clean and beautiful world together.

HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases