LEAP East Opens in Hong Kong as Asia and the Gulf Deepen Technology and Investment Ties

Governments, investors, technology companies and entrepreneurs from across Asia and the Middle East gathered in Hong Kong today as LEAP East opened its inaugural edition, reinforcing the city's growing role as a gateway for technology, investment and innovation between the two regions.

Over the next three days, more than 25,000 attendees, alongside more than 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors, 300 startups and 600 investors representing more than US$6.5 trillion total assets under management, will come together to explore topics spanning artificial intelligence, technology diplomacy, cross-border investment and digital innovation.

LEAP East is poised to reinforce Hong Kong’s growing position as a key gateway for technology, investment and innovation between Asia and the Middle East.

The event was officially opened by H.E. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, alongside the Hon. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Faisal Bin Saud Al Khamisi, Co-Chairman of the Board of Tahaluf, underscoring the growing importance both governments place on strengthening technology cooperation, innovation and cross-border investment between Asia and the Gulf.

(From left to right) Mr. Muteb Alqani, CEO of SAFCSP, Mr. Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr. Faisal Alkhamisi, Co-Chairman of the Board, Tahaluf, ⁠Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, H.E. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Honorable Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, Ms. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Ms. Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, Mr. Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, Ms. Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK

In his opening keynote, H.E. Abdullah Alswaha highlighted Asia’s growing influence in the global technology economy, pointing to its US$34 trillion in economic activity, a third of the global economy and the world’s largest digital and AI economy, and 82 per cent of global AI patents.

The Hon. Paul Chan and Prof. Sun Dong set out Hong Kong’s role in strengthening technology and investment ties between Asia and the Gulf, underpinned by the city’s international capital markets, growing innovation ecosystem and position as a strategic gateway connecting Asia with global markets.

“Both of us are gateways to our respective regions. There is enormous potential for Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia to do more together, connecting ideas, capital and opportunities across regions and cultures,” said the Hon. Paul Chan.

Prof. Sun Dong also detailed the HKSAR Government’s continued investment in innovation and technology, including three HK$10 billion funding initiatives – equivalent to more than US$3.8 billion in support. Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem has grown by nearly 40 per cent since 2021, exceeding 5,200 startups in 2025.

“Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has opened extraordinary opportunities for technological development, digital transformation, and new industries. This international gathering reflects the rising global momentum in innovation and technology, and Hong Kong is well-positioned to serve as a super- connector and facilitator for international exchange, " he said.

Following the opening ceremony, senior Saudi Arabian and Hong Kong delegations joined organisers for an official tour of the exhibition, visiting technology showcases and pavilions from the Hong Kong Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), Cyberport, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP), Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Aramco Digital, Elm and Saudi Exports.

H.E. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, alongside the Hon. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, and Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, joined an exhibition tour and met with exhibitors to learn about the latest developments in their technologies.

Faisal Bin Saud Al Khamisi, Co-Chairman of the Board of Tahaluf, said the launch of LEAP East marks an important milestone in LEAP’s international expansion. This is a homegrown Saudi IP and the first of its kind to go global.

“LEAP began as an event, but it has grown into a movement built on human connection. And now, it is going international. We could not have chosen a more fitting home for this moment than Hong Kong, the gateway to Asia” he said.

Over the next three days, discussions at LEAP East will explore how artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship and technology diplomacy are shaping economic growth, investment and new partnerships between Asia and the Gulf.

Mike Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, said the scale of the inaugural LEAP East demonstrates the strength of demand for deeper connections between the technology ecosystems of Asia and the Gulf. 

“Tens of thousands of attendees will come together for the first LEAP East, making it more than five times the scale typically seen for a new event launch in Hong Kong. That response tells us there is real demand for stronger connections between Asia and the Gulf,” he said. “Capital, technology and talent are already moving between the two regions, and LEAP East is here to turn that momentum into innovation, investment and long-term partnerships.”