The inaugural LEAP East 2026 technology conference officially opened today at the Convention & Exhibition Centre. Welcoming the event to Hong Kong, Financial Secretary Paul Chan noted that it marks the first LEAP conference held outside Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Chan said the event underscores the deepening partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, while highlighting the city’s unique role as a gateway connecting the Mainland with the world.
Mr Chan outlined Hong Kong’s strengths as an ideal innovation base, citing its common law system, robust intellectual property protection, free flow of capital, goods, talent and data, low and simple tax regime and stable business environment.
He invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to utilise Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform. He also reaffirmed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral co-operation in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and professional services.
“There is enormous potential for us – Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia – to do more together. Both of us are gateways to our respective regions, and our capital markets are already linked – through mutual listings of exchange-traded funds.
“We warmly welcome Saudi and Gulf enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s capital markets through listings, bond issuance, asset management and other partnerships.
“Hong Kong is precisely the gateway and platform where proven frontier technology and advanced manufacturing businesses from this region can settle in Saudi Arabia and expand across Europe and Africa,” he added.
Mr Chan announced plans to lead another delegation to Saudi Arabia again later this year. The group will comprise leading infrastructure, green tech, healthcare and advanced manufacturing companies, alongside finance, investment and professional services experts, to explore concrete projects and further partnerships.
Also attending the opening ceremony, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong positioned Hong Kong as an ideal gateway for both Mainland enterprises going global and Middle Eastern firms accessing Chinese and other Asian markets. He reaffirmed Hong Kong’s readiness to partner globally for a sustainable, innovative future.
The three-day event runs from today until Friday, bringing together 35,000 participants, including 340 speakers and 450 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.
Following the opening ceremony, Mr Chan and Prof Sun toured the exhibition and visited the Hong Kong Pavilion. Prof Sun also met with Minister of Communications & Information Technology of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Alswaha to exchange views on innovation and technology collaborations between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
