Chief Executive John Lee today met visiting Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi at Government House.

They discussed further strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and GCC member states in such areas as trade, investment, finance and technology.

In addition to welcoming the delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee said it was a pleasure to meet Mr Albudaiwi in the city again after they met in Saudi Arabia last February.

The GCC consists of six member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Noting that GCC member states are Hong Kong's valued trading and investment partners, the Chief Executive said the Government has actively forged close ties with the states to promote exchanges on various aspects.

As part of these efforts, the Government held the eighth Belt & Road Summit with the addition of the Middle East Forum last September to focus on the new developments and opportunities arising from the Middle East markets under the development of the Belt & Road Initiative, while the Asian Financial Forum held in January this year was well received by many political and business leaders of GCC member states, he added.

Mr Lee also pointed out that the Government’s principal officials have visited a number of GCC member countries to learn more about the latest developments of the Arab States of the Gulf and introduce Hong Kong's development opportunities to local political, business and professional sector leaders.

Meanwhile, the Government is planning to establish an Economic & Trade Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to continuously enhance economic and trade relations with GCC member states.

The Chief Executive welcomed enterprises and investors of the GCC member states to capitalise on Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, as a strategic location on the doorstep of Mainland China, as well as its world-class financial infrastructure and rich pool of professionals, to tap into the vast opportunities offered by the Belt & Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip also joined the meeting.