Seriously now, sometimes we wonder why the Hong Kong government should keep tripping over itself trying to attract tourism when the city is itself a constantly throbbing reality show and an ongoing theatre of the absurd?
Think about the now-you-see-him-now-you-don’t Sheikh Ali Rashed Al Maktoum, apparently a prince from Dubai, who arrived in Hong Kong in May of 2024 with a big smile on his face and the promise to invest US$500 million in the city.
The Sheikh met with some of Hong Kong’s most rabid serial movers and shakers and networkers who had their tongues hanging out at the thought of what Big Bang Bucks there might be there to be had.
He made an appearance at a private seminar on “philanthropy”, opened a “family office” in Shun Tak Centre, named Eleanor Mok, below, who some of us know to wear many different hats on LinkedIn, as his CEO.
Then, like a puff of smoke, he abruptly left to from whence he came on “urgent personal business”.
During his very short time in Hong Kong, the distinguished Sheikh’s family, apparently related to the ruling Maktoum family, is said to have even signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hang Seng University and appointed Al Maktoum as an honorary professor.
Though meant to return to Hong Kong, the date kept being pushed back further and further until it was clear that, alas, he would be a No Show.
The office in Hong Kong was quickly closed, the ruling family was not happy with their name used in vain and put a stop to it, whereas the “Prince” was revealed to also be a singer in the Philippines named Alira.
Quite frankly, with all the princely publicity, Alira might have been a bigger hit with curious audiences in Hong Kong than some of the “Mega” events held in the city.
Who knows?
To avoid any high level blushes, the whole weird plate of kebabs appeared to die a death and with all memories of everything and nothing that happened in May of 2024 swept under the magic carpet ride.
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