Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), recently concluded a successful visit to Hong Kong, attracting buyers and importers eager to source products from Dubai to Far Eastern markets.

The visit, led by Mohammed Al Kamali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports, marked the first anniversary of the Overseas Trade Office (OTO) of Dubai Exports opened in Hong Kong and was meant to strengthen relations with key stakeholders as part of enabling UAE-based companies to expand their international collaboration and presence in the Far East.

“Dubai Exports has already received enquiries from 71 buyers in Hong Kong interested in sourcing products from Dubai while 17 of our local companies have also sought our assistance in exporting to Hong Kong, Dubai Exports has been able to establish and develop strong relations with business and government decision makers in Hong Kong, largely because of the groundwork done by the OTO since its opening in August 2017,” said Al Kamali.

The OTO has proactively reached out to the local business community, industrial associations, and importers in order to promote the benefits and competitiveness of products and services from Dubai. The office has also played a pivotal role in assisting UAE companies successfully penetrating Far Eastern markets as well as across local tradeshows, seminars and workshops.

Al Kamali and his team met with traders and industry associations, including the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC); Chinese Manufactures’ Association of Hong Kong (CGCC); Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association (HKCIEA); Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB); Office of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and Trade & Industry Department (TID), in addition to local companies like China Resources Vanguard (HK) Co. Ltd, HKTV Mall, and Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

“Dubai is viewed by people in Hong Kong mainly as a tourist and oil-exporting region. However, with the emirate’s strategic plan for 2021, we aim to show that Dubai is much more and indeed a highly diversified economy,” Al Kamali said. “Dubai is a global exporter and manufacturer of a diverse range of products, from porcelain to caviar and tea. Dubai also shares a similar DNA as Hong Kong and both regions can work closer across re-exports, trading, logistics, and more”.

According to the Trade & Industry Department of Hong Kong, the UAE was the 15th largest trading partner for Hong Kong and their most important partner in Middle East in 2017. With initiatives like the ‘Belt & Road’ there are more opportunities for stronger bilateral engagement.

The Dubai Exports office in Hong Kong is working on sector-level outreach to enterprises and associations to promote its services as well as products and services from Dubai. Varied programmes will be rolled out for the benefit the importers in the host country, such as the Elite Buyers Programmes, and representatives of supermarkets in Dubai have been invited to join the Business-to-Business programmes being held in Dubai in August 2018.