Hong Kong and the mainland are well placed to benefit from its outreach efforts to Gulf countries, executive councillor and lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said on Wednesday, with oil-rich Qatar, for example, seeking to transform its economy.

Lam, who recently joined Chief Executive John Lee on his trip to the Middle East, said Qatar is focusing more on the use of renewable energy while looking to invest in different places around the world.

"Hong Kong is a very good platform for Qatar," he said on the RTHK programme "In the Chamber".

"It is also very interested in the mainland Chinese market.

"In turn, Hong Kong, together with mainland firms, can bring our products and services to Qatar and other places in the Middle East."

Separately, Lam said a leading French aeronautical services company's plan to establish its Asia headquarters in Hong Kong could strengthen the city's status as an international aviation hub.

He said the firm, Elior Group, is also looking to set up a family office in the territory.

The French company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Airport Authority to explore the possibility of providing services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in the SAR.