Dubai: Representatives from DP World, the Dubai-based ports operator, and leaders from Hong Kong discussed collaboration in a number of sectors including ports, logistics, and customs during a meeting this week.
The development of financial services and cruise terminal facilities, customs collaboration, and China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative were also discussed, DP World said in a statement.
The meeting, which was in Hong Kong, was between Sultan Bin Sulayem, DP World’s group chairman and chief executive officer, and Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, at Government House.
The move to develop close ties between the UAE and Hong Kong follows the recent opening of a Dubai Export Office there, and the planned Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai to attract investment.
Partnerships also exist through DP World’s Jebel Ali Freezone in Dubai, which saw trade worth $339.7 million (Dh1.24 billion) with Hong Kong in 2016, the company said.
Bin Sulayem said in a statement DP World is “interested in exploring Hong Kong’s cruise terminal business.”
He added that Asia will continue to play a major role in DP World’s global network across 40 countries.
DP World and its partners are investing $1.9 billion in China’s port terminals until 2020, and already have operations in Qingdao, Tianjin, and Yantai.
Trade between Dubai and Hong Kong totalled Dh31 billion in 2016.
