He also announced that two other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, will relax their visa policies for SAR passport holders.
“I’m pleased now to further announce that the UAE will grant Hong Kong 30-day visa-free free access starting May 15, while Oman will on the same date extend its visa-free period from 10 to 14 days,” he told the press after a business luncheon in Kuwait City.
Lee announced in Doha on Monday that SAR passport holders will enjoy 30 days of visa-free travel in Qatar, starting immediately.
He highlighted six areas in which progress was made on the final day of his Middle East trip in Kuwait.
These include the SAR building “collaborative consensus” with Qatar and Kuwait and further strengthening their relationships, as well as the signing of 59 memoranda of understanding with local businesses and organisations.
Lee said he looked forward to more exchanges with the region.
“In meetings with leaders and officials, I appreciated their forward-looking vision and their understanding of Hong Kong’s unparalleled advantages under One Country, Two Systems as a bridge between the mainland and the world,” he said.
“Middle East countries are seeking diversification of risks and look for opportunities in China and the Hong Kong SAR in order to join the tide of the global economic shifts towards the East.
“In this, Hong Kong has boundless opportunities.”
Asked if there are plans to travel to Bahrain and Oman – the two remaining Gulf Cooperation Council member states that he hasn’t visited as CE – Lee said he will consider the idea, among other emerging markets.
