HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong as premier gateway for international co-operation at Economic Forum in Karpacz
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) promoted Hong Kong's unique advantages and business opportunities at the 35th Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland, from September 8 to 10 (Karpacz time).
The Economic Forum held annually in Karpacz is one of the largest conferences in Central and Eastern Europe, attracting over 6 000 leaders, experts, and decision-makers. The theme of the Forum this year is "Architecture of the New Order - Stability in Times of Change", and there is a dedicated Chinese-Polish Forum. The HKETO Berlin promoted Hong Kong's unique roles and advantages in facilitating investment as well as promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.
Speaking at the panel session of the Forum, the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, outlined Hong Kong's crucial position as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Chinese Mainland and the world. Hong Kong serves as a vital bridge by connecting the Chinese Mainland with global markets through its common law system, free flow of capital, and world-class professional services.
"Global business turns to Hong Kong for wide-ranging, long-term opportunities. Hong Kong is the ideal place for international fundraising, and enterprises can scale up through our financing and professional services. Last year, Hong Kong topped the world in both initial public offering volume and funds raised. Investors and businesses can leverage on Hong Kong's strengths as one of the major hubs for initial public offerings."
Mr Wong added that with significant resources devoted to innovation and technology development over the years, Hong Kong has emerged as an international innovation and technology centre, and a regional powerhouse supporting the development of financial technology, AI, life and health sciences, and advanced manufacturing. He also highlighted Hong Kong's significant role in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative through its extensive network of trade and investment promotion partners.
"Hong Kong is a key node and premier international platform for Belt and Road co-operation between China and Central and Eastern Europe. For Central and Eastern European technology firms, start-ups, and research institutions, Hong Kong offers a dynamic environment for piloting products, raising capital, and forging strategic partnerships that extend across the Chinese Mainland and Asia markets," he said.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong as premier gateway for international co-operation at Economic Forum in Karpacz Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong as premier gateway for international co-operation at Economic Forum in Karpacz Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
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; the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, Ms Ibtisam Ahmed Said Al Farooji; 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.
Omani bank Sohar International advances global reach with new Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Omani bank Sohar International advances global reach with new Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
