Hong Kong and the UAE have strong economic ties, with Hong Kong positioning itself as a key gateway to the Chinese market. Through a one-stop legal services platform, Hong Kong aims to provide investors and businesses from the UAE and other GCC countries with fast, convenient, and safe access to China. Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a connector between China and countries outside China, offering top-quality legal services for global investors to explore business opportunities in China.
In recent years, Hong Kong has emerged as a major trading partner for the UAE, with non-oil foreign trade between the two countries reaching $16.23 billion in 2022, up from $9.4 billion in 2020. The two sides have also signed agreements to protect and promote cross-border investments, with Hong Kong positioning itself as a destination for family offices from the Gulf region. This growth in trade highlights the importance of promoting legal and dispute resolution services in Hong Kong to facilitate business interactions between the regions.
A forum titled “Hong Kong – The Common Law Gateway for UAE Businesses to China and Beyond” was held in Dubai to showcase Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services. The event, organized by the Department of Justice, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, aimed to highlight Hong Kong’s role as an international legal and dispute resolution services center under China’s national development plans. The forum featured speeches from prominent figures, including the Ambassador of China to the UAE and the CEO of the Dubai Chambers.
Paul Lam Ting-kwok emphasized the historical friendship between the UAE and China, dating back to the ancient Silk Road. He highlighted the modern Silk Road being developed between the two countries, with Hong Kong playing a significant role as a common law jurisdiction in China. The forum also provided an opportunity for Lam to meet with Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Justice of the UAE, to discuss mutual interests and explore opportunities for legal collaboration between the two regions.
Lam reiterated Hong Kong’s role as a gateway to China, offering fast, convenient, and safe access for businesses and investors. The common law system in Hong Kong provides a one-stop shop for legal services, from setting up a business venture to resolving disputes and reaping the benefits of investments. He emphasized Hong Kong’s readiness to provide top-quality, user-friendly, and reliable legal services to support businesses in exploring opportunities not only in Hong Kong but also in China as a whole. The unique advantages and characteristics of Hong Kong’s legal system make it an attractive destination for businesses and investors seeking to enter the Chinese market.
Overall, the collaboration between the UAE and Hong Kong in the legal sector is crucial for promoting economic growth and facilitating business interactions between the two regions. By leveraging Hong Kong’s position as a common law gateway to China, businesses from the UAE and other GCC countries can benefit from top-quality legal services and access to the Chinese market. This partnership highlights the importance of fostering strong relationships and legal cooperation to support international trade and investment opportunities between Hong Kong and the UAE.
