Hong Kong sharpens ‘superconnector’ role as China-GCC trade hits US$288 billion
Booming China-GCC trade underscores Hong Kong’s gateway role
Business ties between mainland China and the Middle East were deepening, with Hong Kong playing a pivotal role as a value‑added “superconnector”, panellists said at the Belt and Road Summit on Thursday.
“There are a lot of opportunities happening between the two countries [Oman and China],” said Ibrahim Al-Eisri, chief investment officer of private markets at the Oman Investment Authority, who spoke during a panel discussion on exploring new markets and industries. “We have seen a big flow of investments coming last year.”
The Omani sovereign wealth fund has invested more than US$2 billion across Greater China through a diversified portfolio that included both direct investments and funds spanning healthcare, biotechnology and technology sectors, he added.
China was Oman’s largest trading partner last year, with bilateral trade reaching US$36.73 billion.
Chinese exports to Oman were dominated by mechanical and electrical products as well as hi-tech goods, according to Chinese government data.
Trade between China and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Oman, surpassed US$288 billion last year, with cooperation expanding into energy and green transformation.