The heads of two startups have hailed the SAR government's efforts in leading business delegations to the Middle East.

Besides the current trip by Chief Executive John Lee to Qatar and Kuwait, IT minister Sun Dong had taken other entrepreneurs to the Middle East in search of opportunities.

"The government-led trip helped us a lot," Henson Tsai, the founder of a platform that incorporates messages from instant messaging apps, told RTHK's "Government and You" programme.

"We got to communicate with many more companies there from different sectors during the trip....striking a deal with a major technology firm in the region."

Vriko Yu's startup uses 3D-printing techniques to help conserve corals.

She said the Middle East trips make it easier for SAR firms to market their goods and services to people in different places.