The opening was marked by an official gala ceremony at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, held in the presence of The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as Guest of Honour; His Excellency Sheikh Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Pankaj Khimji, Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP); His Excellency Muneer Ali Nasser Al-Muneeri, Deputy President of the Oman Investment Authority for Operations; Mr. Said Mohamed Al-Aufi, Chairman of Sohar International; and Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, alongside the Board of Directors and other senior representatives from Oman and Hong Kong, regulators, financial institutions, corporate and institutional clients, investors, trade organisations and members of the business community.
Senior representatives from Sohar International, Oman and Hong Kong gather to celebrate the opening of Sohar International's Asia-Pacific Office in Hong Kong.
The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, joins senior representatives of Sohar International and Oman in striking the ceremonial gong, marking the opening of the Bank's Asia-Pacific Office in Hong Kong and a new chapter of connectivity between Oman and Asia.
The launch follows Sohar International's receipt of approval from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in April 2026, followed by final approval from the Central Bank of Oman in May 2026 to establish the Asia Pacific Office. The new presence provides Sohar International with a platform to strengthen institutional relationships, deepen its understanding of Asian markets and develop greater connectivity between opportunities across the region and its clients and relationships in Oman.
On the sidelines of Sohar International's participation in the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, the Bank signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding, further demonstrating its commitment to strengthening business and investment connectivity between China, Asia, Oman and the wider GCC. The Bank signed an MoU with Templewater, an Asia- and GCC-focused alternative asset manager with a presence across Hong Kong, Singapore and Muscat. The partnership provides a framework to explore investment opportunities for eligible Sohar International clients, potential co-investments, project-financing opportunities, and banking services for Templewater's portfolio companies operating in Oman.
Sohar International also entered into a strategic and reciprocal partnership with E-Fund, one of China's leading asset management institutions, with a broad investment platform and a significant presence across China and international markets. The partnership positions Sohar International as E-Fund's exclusive partner in Oman and the wider region, facilitating the marketing of E-Fund's investment products through the Bank's Asset Management and Origination & Placement businesses, while E-Fund will promote Sohar International's investment and capital markets offerings to its client network in China.
Together, these partnerships represent early tangible outcomes of the Bank's growing presence in Hong Kong and demonstrate its role in building institutional relationships, facilitating investment and capital flows, and creating new opportunities connecting China and Asia with Oman and the wider GCC.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, highlighted that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government warmly welcomes the opening of Sohar International's representative office - the first presence of an Omani bank in Hong Kong, and Sohar International's first office in Asia. Its arrival affirms confidence in Hong Kong as an international financial centre and a gateway connecting the Middle East, the Chinese Mainland and Asia. Oman's strategic position along the maritime Belt and Road, combined with Hong Kong's strengths in capital markets, asset and wealth management, banking, professional services and offshore Renminbi business, can facilitate trade, investment and project financing. Hong Kong-Oman collaboration is already taking good shape, including the Oman Investment Authority's plan to participate in Hong Kong's vibrant startup ecosystem by investing up to HK$250 million as a partner to the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund. Under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong serves as a "super connector" and "super value-adder". HKSAR Government looks forward to deepening financial links with Sohar International, helping businesses find the right opportunities in the Gulf and across Asia, and turning new connections into lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, said: "Oman has looked east for centuries, building strong commercial and cultural connections across Asia, with Sohar playing an important role in this history. Today, we are building on that legacy in a modern economic context. Our presence in Hong Kong is a strategic step in Sohar International's international growth, giving us closer access to one of the world's most important financial and commercial centres and a stronger platform from which to engage with investors, financial institutions, businesses and strategic partners across China and Asia. Our objective is to turn this connectivity into tangible opportunities for Oman and our clients — attracting investment and capital into the Sultanate, supporting Omani businesses seeking to access Asian markets, and creating stronger channels for investment, trade, knowledge and business between Asia, Oman and the wider GCC. Hong Kong therefore represents more than a geographic presence for us; it is an important gateway through which Sohar International can build meaningful relationships and create value across these interconnected markets."
The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said that InvestHK is proud to have facilitated Sohar International's setup in Hong Kong, from its business delegation to Oman in May 2025 to high-level government exchanges and local regulatory alignment. Beyond enriching Hong Kong's banking sector, Sohar International's arrival enables businesses to reimagine what the stronger investment ties between the Middle East and Asia can achieve, capitalising on the city's strengths in fundraising, risk management, and professional services. Sohar International will also serve as a key partner for Chinese enterprises seeking to expand into Oman and the wider GCC.
Sohar International's presence in Hong Kong also reflects a much broader history of engagement between Oman and Asia stretching back more than a thousand years. Oman's geographical position and maritime tradition placed its sailors, merchants and ports within extensive trading networks connecting the Arabian Peninsula with India, Southeast Asia and China. These routes formed part of the wider maritime networks now referred to as the Maritime Silk Roads, facilitating not only the movement of goods but also the exchange of knowledge, ideas, culture and commercial relationships between East and West.
Sohar played an important role within these historic networks. Historical research documented by UNESCO identifies Sohar as an important Omani trading port and entrepôt for vessels travelling between East and West. By the tenth century, it had developed into one of the region's most significant trading centres, with archaeological evidence demonstrating commercial links with markets including China.
This historical context provides a meaningful backdrop to Sohar International's presence in Hong Kong today. While the nature of connectivity has evolved from maritime trade to modern flows of capital, investment, technology, knowledge and enterprise, the importance of building enduring relationships between markets remains central to the Bank's international strategy.
Hong Kong's position as one of the world's leading international financial centres, together with its connectivity with the Mainland and global markets, makes it a strategically important platform for Sohar International's engagement with Asia.
Through its Asia Pacific Office, Sohar International aims to strengthen relationships with financial institutions, corporates, investors and strategic partners, while promoting greater awareness of the investment and business opportunities emerging within the Sultanate of Oman. The presence will also support the Bank in developing deeper market understanding and relationships that can benefit Omani clients and businesses seeking greater engagement with Asian markets.
The initiative reflects Oman's broader economic direction under Oman Vision 2040, which places emphasis on private-sector development, international cooperation, investment and greater integration with the global economy. Sohar International's international growth supports this direction by creating stronger financial and institutional links between Oman and strategically important international markets.
The Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong also builds on the Bank's expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and represents a further step in Sohar International's ambition to strengthen its regional and international presence and support its clients across increasingly interconnected markets.
The official opening ceremony brought together senior representatives from Oman and Hong Kong, reflecting the growing economic and institutional ties between the two markets. The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, addressed the occasion, followed by Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International.
The ceremony also celebrated the longstanding cultural ties between Oman and Asia, combining elements from both regions while showcasing Sohar International's growth journey, expanding international presence and ambitions for the future.
Through its presence in Hong Kong, Sohar International aims to support greater two-way connectivity between Oman and Asia, helping bring international investors, institutions and opportunities closer to Oman while developing stronger relationships for Omani businesses across international markets.
The milestone further reinforces Sohar International's broader ambition to contribute to bringing the best of Oman to the world and the best of the world to Oman.
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About Sohar International:
Sohar International is guided by a clear vision to become a world-leading Omani service company that helps customers, communities, and people prosper and grow. With a purpose to help people 'win' by delivering responsive banking for their ever-changing world, the bank offers innovative solutions across Commercial and Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Islamic Banking, and more. Operating with a strong digital-first approach and an expanding regional footprint—including presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Sohar International is committed to driving value through strategic partnerships and a dynamic customer experience. Learn more at www.SIB.om.
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