Recently, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, led a delegation of Hong Kong business leaders and Mainland enterprises on a successful visit to Qatar and Kuwait, yielding fruitful outcomes. Lei Peng, Vice President of Glodon Company Limited, was invited to join the delegation as a representative of Mainland enterprises, with the aim of exploring cooperation opportunities, expanding into the Middle East market, and advancing Glodon’s global strategy.

This visit marks a significant step in deepening engagement with the Middle East following a successful trip to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2023. It was also the first time leading Mainland enterprises, in addition to leaders from industry and commerce, and professional sectors of Hong Kong, on an outbound mission.

The delegation comprised over 50 members, including Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau, several Legislative Council members, and more than 20 Mainland entrepreneurs. Their businesses span sectors such as technology, finance, commerce, trade, and logistics.

Glodon Company Limited has been dedicated to the digitalization of the construction industry for almost three decades. As a digital building platform service provider, Glodon offers comprehensive digital building lifecycle solutions, focusing on specialized applications in construction engineering, and providing value-added services like industry big data and supply chain finance. By 2024, Glodon had set up 8 major R&D centers and over 80 subsidiaries worldwide, with a sales and service network spanning over 100 countries and regions, serving 390,000 corporate clients with professional products and services. As a leading player in China’s digital construction field, Glodon is leveraging digital technologies to build collaborative partnerships with government and business communities in Hong Kong and the Middle East, contributing to the digital transformation of the region’s construction sector.

While in Qatar, Lei Peng participated in several key activities, including a luncheon with the International Financial Group and roundtable discussions with the Qatar Businessmen Association and the Qatar Chamber. The delegation also visited the Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Development Bank. Through in-depth discussions with local companies and institutions, the delegation gained insights into Qatar’s latest developments and laid the groundwork for future cooperation. Additional visits included the Qatar Foundation, to learn about major local initiatives in scientific research, education, and community development, and a tour of Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Lusail—the country's second-largest city—to study achievements in integrating innovative technology with urban planning and infrastructure.

Diar Real Estate Investment Company, founded in 2005 by the Qatar Investment Authority (the country’s sovereign wealth fund), is headquartered in Doha and ranks among the world’s leading real estate firms. Its flagship project, Lusail City, is the largest single development project in Qatar. Through this visit, Glodon established business ties with Diar, laying the foundation for future cooperation in digital transformation within the construction industry.

In Kuwait, Lei Peng joined the delegation in visits to the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, the Kuwait Investment Authority, and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce, and attended a royal banquet hosted by the Emir of Kuwait. He also held in-depth discussions with senior executives from Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, a major conglomerate engaged in construction, real estate, financial services, culture, and tourism. Recognized as one of the top 100 family businesses in the Arab world, the Bukhamseen Group plays a vital role in Kuwait’s economic development through its diverse operations in property development, construction, civil engineering, hospitality, and tourism. Both parties expressed strong interest in advancing cooperation in digital transformation.

During the visit, Glodon officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a framework agreement with Deloitte China, joining forces to promote Glodon's business expansion in the Middle East.

Additionally, Glodon established connections and expressed intentions for further cooperation with various Hong Kong organizations and institutions, including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, MTR Corporation, Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

This Middle East trip proved to be highly productive for the delegation, with significant outcomes in six major areas, including enhanced government-to-government relations, the signing of 59 cooperation memoranda and agreements, strengthening of trade networks, and promotion of cultural exchanges. Glodon’s participation as a Mainland technology enterprise exemplifies the complementary strengths of Hong Kong and Mainland companies—Hong Kong as a hub for international finance, professional services, and trade, and Mainland firms like Glodon providing core technological capabilities for industrial digitalization. Together, they are poised to offer high-value services to the Middle East market.

Lei Peng commented: "Middle Eastern countries are rapidly advancing major national strategies such as 'National Vision 2030,' and their demand in areas such as industrial transformation, smart cities, and green buildings aligns closely with Glodon’s technological strengths. We view this visit as a starting point to collaborate with Hong Kong partners in building a digital service ecosystem in the Middle East and positioning China’s digital construction technologies as a new hallmark of the Belt and Road Initiative."

This visit not only helped Glodon further expand its international footprint but also showcased the capability of Chinese tech enterprises to participate in global digital economy governance. Looking ahead, Glodon will continue to grow its presence in the Middle East and strengthen strategic collaboration with Hong Kong enterprises, promoting multi-level, in-depth cooperation. With Hong Kong as a strategic gateway, Glodon aims to empower the global construction industry’s digital transformation and sustainable development.