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Hong Kong: Bridging Business Opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2025 – As a global trade and financial centre and a key link in the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI), Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in connecting the Belt and Road regions, spanning some 150 countries around the world.

Hong Kong’s external trade with Belt and Road economies other than Mainland China has surged by almost 78 per cent (3.2 times the growth rate of Hong Kong’s trade with all economies) between 2013 and 2024.

Tapping into this huge potential is a strong focus of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, including arranging outbound business missions to Belt and Road countries/regions as well as inviting global policymakers, business leaders, investors and academics to attend the annual flagship Belt and Road Summit in the city.

The HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee has so far led high-level delegation visits to four of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, most recently Kuwait and Qatar, as well as six of the 10 Member States of ASEAN, which is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner.

And, just last week, the Belt and Road Office (BRO) under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government led an infrastructure and construction mission to Indonesia and Malaysia (22-26 June 2025).

These visits strengthen government-to-government relations, connect project owners with investors, and promote Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, including the city’s common law system and free flows of capital and talent. They also foster partnership opportunities by highlighting Hong Kong’s professional services expertise in areas ranging from engineering, architecture and surveying to design, legal and financial services.

One such company is Hong Kong green technology start-up i2Cool, which has introduced its cooling systems to the United Arab Emirates, securing a deal to apply its i2Coating to the Dubai Mall’s rooftop. This helped the shopping mall achieve a 20% reduction in air-conditioning energy consumption. During last week’s mission to Indonesia and Malaysia, i2Cool signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with local partners.

Meanwhile, a Hong Kong firm is investing in a data centre in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, leveraging opportunities in digital infrastructure to contribute to the development of the Digital Silk Road in promoting connectivity. The Tier III hyperscale facility is capable of handling a huge amount of data safely and securely, with an initial 20MW IT load. Equipped with advanced security measures and round-the-clock monitoring and support, the data centre can promptly identify and resolve any potential problems, minimising downtime and optimising business productivity. The HKSAR Government and its Belt and Road Office helped to make the business connections with local partners through networking events. The project highlights Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in influential deal-making.

Professional services thrive in Hong Kong, thanks to the city’s robust legal system and the rule of law. Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction within China, which means that the legal regime in the business realm resembles that of many major global financial centres.

As such, the newly established International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) will have its headquarters in Hong Kong. IOMed will become the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation. It will provide a pathway for countries along the B&RI and beyond – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is gearing up to host the 10th edition of the Belt and Road Summit in September (10-11 September, 2025). The Summit gathers senior government officials and business leaders from countries and regions along and beyond the Belt and Road to exchange insights on multilateral co-operation and explore concrete business opportunities.

Last year’s summit welcomed more than 6,000 attendees from around the world, including over 90 high-profile speakers. The event also arranged over 800 one-to-one business matching meetings and featured over 110 exhibitors, creating business opportunities throughout the Belt and Road regions.

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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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