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Hong Kong’s trade office in Dubai to strengthen ties with GCC: HKETO chief

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Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Director General Damian Lee has said that a potential free trade agreement between the city and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will further strengthen ties between the two sides.

Damian Lee was speaking ahead of the opening of HKETO’s first overseas office in the Middle East. HKETO’s office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is designed to consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong’s economic and trade relations with trading partners across the GCC.

The new HKETO offices are being opened days after Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam set out the government’s priorities, which included exploring the possibility of forging free trade agreements (FTAs) and investment deals with countries in the Middle East.

The HKETO’s director general said that last year, the total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the GCC surged to $13 billion, out of which the UAE accounted for nearly 70 percent ($9.5bn) trade.

Lee called it the right time to open an office in the region to promote trade and other interaction between Hong Kong and the six GCC member countries.

Lee pointed out that there was a 70 percent increase in the number of start-ups in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2021 and there have been 12 unicorns – a privately held start-up company valued at over $1 billion – over this period.

While, in a bid to entice family offices to Hong Kong, Lam has previously declared that tax concessions would be considered.

According to Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong has been identified as having the highest untapped potential market for jewellery products originating in the UAE, currently worth $1.1 billion.

Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is a market of about seven million people and being a gateway to mainland China, it also has very strong relations with other Asian countries.

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Don’t cross here: Abu Dhabi Police issue fresh warning

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Pedestrians in Abu Dhabi are being reminded to use designated bridges, tunnels and crossings to stay safe and help reduce road accidents, according to Abu Dhabi Police.

The advisory comes as part of GCC Traffic Week 2026, held under the theme “I Cross Safely,” which focuses on improving road safety awareness across the region.

Officials warned that crossing roads from undesignated areas remains a high-risk behaviour, putting both pedestrians and drivers in danger, especially on busy roads where vehicles may not be able to stop in time.

Pedestrian crossings in place

Authorities highlighted that the UAE’s road network includes well-equipped pedestrian bridges, tunnels and marked crossings, designed to ensure safe and smooth movement across major roads.

Shared responsibility

Police are urging residents and visitors alike to follow traffic rules and act responsibly, stressing that road safety depends on collective efforts from both pedestrians and motorists.

For residents, the message is simple: use the right crossing points to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks.

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US issues advisory in UAE after security alerts

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The US Mission to the UAE has advised American expats in the country to remain alert following warnings of potential aerial threats.

The guidance comes after alerts issued by the UAE Ministry of Interior, with officials confirming that recent aerial threats were successfully intercepted.

A Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory from the US Department of State remains in place, urging citizens to exercise increased caution while in the country.

Embassy operations continue with adjustments

The US Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai remain open but are operating with reduced staffing under an ordered departure status, with non-essential personnel temporarily relocated.

Routine visa services are currently suspended, although emergency consular services remain available.

What US expats should know?

Authorities have encouraged citizens to stay informed through official channels and be prepared to follow safety instructions if needed, including temporary shelter-in-place measures.

Precautionary advice includes:

  • Staying away from windows during incidents
  • Keeping basic emergency supplies ready
  • Maintaining communication with family members

Officials say the situation is being closely monitored, with further updates expected as needed. UAE authorities have emphasised that response systems are active and effective, with safety remaining a top priority.

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Pakistan restores passport services in UAE after 8-day disruption

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Passport services at Pakistani missions in the UAE have resumed, bringing relief to thousands of expats affected by a recent outage.

The Consulate General of Pakistan and Embassy of Pakistan confirmed that passport services are now fully operational as of Tuesday, May 5.

The disruption, which lasted around eight days, was caused by a technical fault at the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI & P) headquarters in Islamabad, leading to a temporary suspension of passport services at missions abroad from April 29.

What should applicants do now?

Officials have advised applicants to visit embassies and consulates during designated service hours to complete passport applications and renewals.

Wider impact across the Gulf

The outage affected Pakistani missions across multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, leaving many unable to process documents during the disruption.

Pakistanis expats can now move forward, easing pressure for those needing urgent travel or documentation.

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