HKTDC Chairman Visits Qatar to Strengthen Hong Kong-GCC Business Ties

Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded a high-level diplomatic and business mission to Doha, Qatar, from October 24 to 27, 2026, aimed at cementing long-term economic ties between Hong Kong and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). During the visit, Ma engaged with Qatar’s top financial and trade ministers and addressed the UN Conference Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Forum, positioning Hong Kong as a primary gateway for capital flowing between the Middle East and Asia, ANTARA News reported.

This effort to strengthen business ties with the GCC comes as Hong Kong uses its "One Country, Two Systems" framework to act as a "super-connector" between the Chinese Mainland and global markets.

Ma Leverages UNCTAD Forum to Pitch Hong Kong Hub

While in Doha, Prof Ma spoke at a session of the UNCTAD World Investment Forum titled “International Investment Facilitation Policies: Creating Partnerships for Sustainable Development.” He characterized Hong Kong as a trusted platform capable of connecting enterprises and capital across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

“Despite current geopolitical volatility, I believe it is important to reach out and build important relationships to ensure long-term economic development around the world,” Prof Ma stated, according to reports from both ANTARA News and briefingwire.com.

Ma argued that Hong Kong’s adherence to common law and the free flow of capital, combined with its unique access to the Chinese mainland, makes it an ideal vehicle for GCC nations looking to diversify their investment portfolios. The mission is part of a larger HKTDC effort to use its network of 51 global offices to facilitate business success in an era of fragmented geopolitics.

Strategic Meetings with Qatari and Bahraini Leadership

The visit was not limited to the forum. Ma held a series of closed-door meetings with the architects of Qatar’s economic policy. These included Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Qatar’s Minister of Finance, and Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The discussions focused on shifting investment toward infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and logistics.

The scope of the mission extended beyond Qatar’s borders to include Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro. Ma also met with executives from the Qatar Investment Authority, Invest Qatar, and the Qatar National Bank, including Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa. By engaging both government ministers and the leaders of the Qatar Development Bank and the Qatar Foundation, the HKTDC is attempting to build a comprehensive pipeline for B2B and G2G (government-to-government) collaboration.

A Timeline of Middle East Expansion

The Doha visit is the latest step in a multi-year campaign to penetrate emerging markets. According to ANTARA News, the HKTDC has maintained a steady cadence of high-level missions to the region:

2023: Business missions conducted to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
2025: Targeted missions to Qatar and Kuwait.
June 2026: Expansion of outreach into Central Asia.
September 2026: The Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, featuring a dedicated Middle East Zone and Chapter, drawing 6,200 leaders from over 70 countries.

This momentum suggests that the HKTDC, a statutory body established in 1966, is aggressively redefining its role for its 60th anniversary year. While the HKTDC organizes business missions to create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it also works to deepen relationships and facilitate investment between the GCC and other regions.