Saudi digital-solutions giant Elm picks Hong Kong LEAP East as springboard for Asia-Pacific expansion

Saudi Arabia’s Elm Company announced on 3 July that it will debut as Business Solutions Partner at LEAP East Hong Kong 2026, the first overseas edition of the kingdom’s flagship technology conference. The three-day event, opening 8 July at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, has the HKSAR Government’s Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau as host partner and is expected to attract more than 12,000 regional delegates. Elm—known for running Saudi Arabia’s digital identity, smart-city and e-government backbones—said it sees Hong Kong as a “gateway to APAC talent and capital”. Four senior executives will speak on AI infrastructure and smart-city platforms, and the firm’s investment arm will court Hong Kong venture funds through LEAP’s Tech Investor Programme. For global-mobility managers, the announcement signals a likely uptick in short-term visits and cross-posting between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. Business-visa processing has already been streamlined: Saudi nationals enjoy 30-day visa-free entry to Hong Kong, while HKSAR passport holders can apply for Saudi e-Visas within minutes. Conference organisers confirmed that a fast-track badge doubles as a visa-support letter for attendees from countries that require a Hong Kong visa, simplifying entry paperwork. Elm’s move dovetails with Hong Kong’s strategy to position itself as a neutral convening hub for Middle-East investment into China and the broader region. Recent data from InvestHK show Middle-East firms setting up regional headquarters in the city jumped 38 per cent year-on-year in 2025. Companies planning to send staff should secure hotel blocks early; the Hong Kong Tourism Board forecasts near-full occupancy around the conference dates. Compliance tip: visitors engaging in hands-on product demos or paid consulting during LEAP should verify whether their activity is covered by Hong Kong’s Short-Term Visitors (STV) facilitation scheme or requires a separate employment-type visa.