Art Central returns this year on Wednesday with more galleries from the Gulf region, at a time when Hong Kong is pushing to build ties with the Middle East for fresh growth amid geopolitical challenges.

The 10th edition of the art fair is set to open at the Central Harbourfront, featuring two galleries from the United Arab Emirates and one from Israel among 108 from across the world. Last year, only one gallery from the region was present.

“If you look at Asia, I feel that Hong Kong is still the most international spot, look at where Art Basel is,” said Daniel Silva, co-founder of Dubai-based gallery Shankay, which is making its first appearance in the city.

The gallery, which also has a base in the Portuguese city of Porto, is bringing works by Venezuelan mixed-media artist Eduardo Enrique to Hong Kong. Silva said he felt the works – a cross between art and collectibles – would resonate with young collectors.

“We definitely hope we will sell. It’s our first art fair [in Hong Kong], we don’t know what to expect [in terms of sales],” he said on Tuesday, adding that participation was also a profile-building exercise for the gallery.

Silva said that having visited Hong Kong multiple times personally, he was familiar with the local art market and felt the city could do more to make it more vibrant. As the city was still recovering from the pandemic, hosting several art fairs at the same time – like New York and Miami – could help to build momentum, he added.

“Hong Kong needs to attract more collectors from mainland China and other countries to hold that position of being a leading city,” he said. “But I still feel that there’s brand awareness around it, that it is still the place to be.”