Pegasus Wong, who leads the Gallery Five Group, told RTHK that mainland tech and electric vehicle (EV) companies are gaining more recognition in Qatar due to growing demand for Chinese products.
Wong is also the founder and chairman of the Qatar Belt and Road Group, which aims to bring more Chinese investment to the country.
He said Hong Kong plays an important role in helping mainland enterprises invest in Qatar and go global.
“Hong Kong’s financial base is very strong, and it’s one of the most well-established financial markets in Asia. I know that in Qatar they also sent someone to Hong Kong to learn about the stock market because their stock market is very new,” he said.
Chief Executive John Lee heads to Qatar and Kuwait on Saturday with representatives from mainland enterprises to explore greater business opportunities.
He last visited the Middle East in 2023.
Wong, who spent seven years building Gallery Five’s presence in Qatar, highlighted the need to cultivate relationships.
“The Middle East, its culture and market… it’s not like you just go around for one trip or a few trips and then you know what’s happening. You need relationships, you need to feel how the city is going, you need more information.
“In Hong Kong, it’s always fast. If you’re from Hong Kong, you serve me, we are doing the same thing and on the same timeline. But in the Middle East, you cannot chase them. If you send a few emails to chase them, and if they don’t like you, you’ll never see them again.”
He also said the SAR could set up more economic and trade offices in the Middle East, noting there is only one in Dubai at the moment.
Amid the China-US trade war, SAR companies should seize the opportunity to enter the Middle East market as the region remains relatively unscathed by geopolitical conflicts and high tariffs, Wong added.
His comments were echoed by a fellow Hong Kong businessman who runs a company in Qatar that turns sand into paper products.
Edwin Wong, the chief executive of Besstree Sandper, said there are differences between Qatar and its neighbouring countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“Qatar, you don’t actually have a lot of variety of people, which makes the place a little bit more closed,” he explained.
“But the nature of dealing or handling or conducting business is very different, because once you know a person and you build up a good relationship, basically a lot of doors will open.”
Edwin Wong added Qatar’s cheap electricity supply is also a big draw.
He estimated that production costs could triple if the factory were to be moved elsewhere in the world.
He said a stable business environment is also key.
His production plant is situated inside the Qatar Science and Technology Park, which provides a range of services for overseas firms.
“Because what we’re doing is an environmental project, we need commitment and support from the government,” he said.
