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.

For more information, please visit www.sib.om.

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

DH organises "Oral Health for Life" Festival to promote life-course approach to oral health management

In support of National Love Teeth Day 2026, the Department of Health (DH) today (October 11) organised the "Oral Health for Life" Festival at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill. Through interactive exhibition panels, fun game booths and performances, the event disseminated accurate oral health information to the public. This year's theme of "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life; Building strong teeth from an early age, Enjoying life with healthy teeth in an old age" encourages the public to develop good dental care habits from an early age and maintain oral health throughout their lifetime. The event was supported by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (BJHC), the Health Commission of Guangdong Province and the Chinese Stomatological Association.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, emphasised that oral health is a vital cornerstone of overall health. He reminded the public to develop good oral hygiene habits from an early age.

Dr Lam said, "The national health plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period implements the 'Health First' development strategy and accelerates the building of a 'Healthy China'. This includes strengthening health promotion and disease prevention, as well as improving health services across the entire life cycle, including the oral health of children, adolescents and the elderly. The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address recently announced by the Chief Executive also actively align with the national plan. They explicitly propose taking active public health measures, further enhancing the accessibility of primary healthcare services and continuing to deepen healthcare system reform. Starting from 2027, the Government will provide preventive primary oral healthcare services for specified high-risk groups at designated District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses, and expand the Healthy Teeth Collaboration to offer outreach preventive oral healthcare services for residents of designated residential care homes for persons with disabilities.

"The theme of today's event, 'Oral Health for Life', conveys an important message - dental care is a lifelong health endeavour. Parents must guide their children to develop proper toothbrushing techniques and habits from an early age, making dental care a part of daily life and ensuring their children undergo regular dental check-ups. The DH promotes oral health services tailored to the needs of different age groups to help all citizens practise the principle of prevention, early identification and timely intervention for dental diseases, with a view to preserving teeth."

The Director of the BJHC, Ms Liu Juncai; the Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Director-General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, Mr Liu Liqun, and the President of the Chinese Stomatological Association, Professor Guo Chuanbin, also delivered pre-recorded video speeches, expressing their support for the event and oral health promotion efforts.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Consultant in-charge of the Dental Services of the DH, Dr Kitty Hse, said that through the strategy of "developing community-wide preventive primary oral healthcare", the Government promotes and develops preventive-focused oral healthcare widely among the public, assisting citizens in self-managing their oral health. Meanwhile, the strategy of "providing essential dental care services targeting underprivileged groups" focuses on providing appropriate oral health and dental care services to underprivileged groups with financial difficulties and special needs, ensuring that these communities can access essential dental care. She urged the public to maintain good oral hygiene and dietary habits, undergo annual dental check-ups, and detect and treat dental problems early in order to preserve their teeth for a lifetime.

For children and adolescents, the DH currently provides continuous and seamless oral health support from the preschool through the school-age stages. This includes the Bright Smiles Baby Programme for children aged 0 to 3, the Outreach Oral Health Programme for Pre-school Children for children in all kindergartens aged 32 months and above, and the territory-wide School Dental Care Service for primary school students, thereby establishing a comprehensive safety net for their oral health.

For the elderly and individuals with special oral care needs, the DH has implemented the Outreach Dental Care Programme for the Elderly, the Healthy Teeth Collaboration and the Special Oral Care Service, while the Community Dental Support Programme aims to provide suitable oral health and dental care services to underprivileged groups with financial difficulties.

At the opening ceremony, the DH also presented certificates to the representatives from various non-governmental organisations providing community dental services and organisations participating in the Healthy Cities Projects (see Annex) to show appreciation for their continued support for the Government in health promotion.

Teeth are indispensable companions throughout one's life. In addition the support provided to the public through various programmes. People of all ages should develop the habit of undergoing annual dental check-ups. Even in old age, maintaining healthy and strong teeth allows us to fully enjoy delicious food and maintain a good quality of life.

Members of the public can visit the DH's Oral Health Promotion Division website and the Facebook page and YouTube channel of "Love Teeth HK" for more information on oral health.

DH organises "Oral Health for Life" Festival to promote life-course approach to oral health management Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases