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The Dubai Centre for Family Businesses concluded its recent visit to Hong Kong, where a delegation of 15 leaders and senior representatives from Dubai-based family businesses engaged with prominent counterparts to share knowledge on international best practices, Dubai Chambers said in a statement. The programme focused on governance structures, sustainability measures, succession planning and intergenerational wealth transfer, while also seeking to build ties that could lead to future cooperation between the two business communities. Khalid AlJarwan stated that direct engagement with family business leaders in international markets broadens knowledge and enables the exchange of practical experiences in managing change and developing businesses.
According to the statement from Dubai Chambers, the visit included a stop at the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s Financial Services Development Council that promotes knowledge exchange and capacity building in the family office sector. Discussions there addressed governance frameworks, succession strategies and the role family offices play in preserving legacies across generations. The delegation gained perspectives on how such entities support continuity while adapting to evolving economic conditions.
The group also toured Kee Wah Group, a family-owned enterprise established in Hong Kong in 1938 that has evolved from a local bakery into an international operation spanning multiple markets, the centre reported. Participants examined how the company maintains core family values amid expansion and innovation demands. Similar insights emerged from engagements with Luen Thai, another established family business, highlighting approaches to sustainable growth and cross-border collaboration.
Dubai Chambers noted that the visit aligns with the centre’s mandate to support the long-term success of family enterprises, which the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism figures show contribute around 60 percent of the national GDP, more than 80 percent of employment and nearly 90 percent of private-sector companies. The centre, inaugurated in 2023 under Dubai Chambers, offers advisory services, training programmes and governance assessment tools to enhance sustainability and generational transitions. Such international exchanges form part of broader efforts to position Dubai family businesses within global networks.
Hong Kong has emerged as a significant hub for family offices, with Deloitte research indicating more than 3,384 single family offices operated in the city by the end of 2025, reflecting a growth of over 25 percent in two years. These entities generate annual operating expenses of about HK$12.6 billion while directly employing more than 10,000 professionals, according to the consultancy’s market study. The interactions during the Dubai visit underscored parallels in how both jurisdictions prioritise family business resilience and wealth management.
The delegation’s engagements provided practical examples of balancing tradition with modern business requirements, Dubai Chambers added. Outcomes are expected to inform future initiatives at the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, including potential collaborative projects. Further details on follow-up activities will be outlined in subsequent centre updates.
