Advisor Dr Ali Mohammed Al Khoury, President of the Arab Union for the Digital Economy, has been selected as a member of the International Advisory Council of the Hainan Free Trade Port in the People's Republic of China, following an official invitation from the Hainan provincial government and the local leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.
The announcement of Dr Al Khoury's membership was made during an official ceremony held in China's Hainan Province, attended by His Excellency Feng Fei, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee of Hainan Province, along with a number of senior government officials and representatives of international and global institutions participating in the council's membership.
The International Advisory Council of the Hainan Free Trade Port is a high-level international advisory platform comprising 61 members drawn from senior business leaders, decision-makers, and international experts representing the sectors of finance, investment, technology, energy, aviation, logistics, international consulting, chambers of commerce, international organisations, and think tanks and public policy centres. The council is tasked with providing strategic insights and recommendations to support the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and consolidate its position as a global hub for trade, investment, and innovation.
Dr Al Khoury's selection was in recognition of his expertise and contributions in the fields of digital economy, digital government, technology policy, and international cooperation, as well as his role in supporting digital transformation initiatives and sustainable development at both regional and international levels.
Following the announcement ceremony, the council held its inaugural meeting with the attendance of its members from international leadership and representatives of financial, investment, and international institutions.
During the meeting's sessions, Dr Al Khoury spoke within the fifth panel dedicated to scientific and technological empowerment, where he underscored the importance of harnessing digital technologies in developing the global trade ecosystem. He noted that building trade environments based on reliable data and digital integration would enhance the efficiency of trade and investment and facilitate cross-border business flows. He called for expanding areas of digital cooperation between the Hainan Free Trade Port and Arab countries in a manner that supports economic development and opens new horizons for international partnerships.