A business delegation led by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee and organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has completed its first stop in Kazakhstan and is now visiting Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the final leg of its Central Asia tour. During the visit from June 1 to 5, the delegation met with senior government and business representatives, successfully advancing collaboration opportunities across multiple sectors.
The delegation facilitated the signing of 66 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements during its visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, covering areas such as trade, investment, finance, technology, and aviation. In addition, 15 cooperation agreements were signed at the government level, while non-delegation members signed 15 MoUs in areas including academia and culture, bringing the total number of agreements and MoUs signed to 96. These outcomes lay a solid foundation for deepening economic and trade ties among Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, underscoring Hong Kong’s role as a key platform for Mainland enterprises to go global and further promoting long-term collaboration with Central Asian markets.
HKTDC Chairman Prof. Frederick Ma said at a business dinner in Uzbekistan: “The Central Asia visit has delivered fruitful outcomes and once again reaffirmed the trust placed by Central Asian countries in Hong Kong’s role as a bridge. In tapping emerging markets, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, with its international credibility, robust institutional framework, world-class professional services and the HKTDC’s global network, serves not only as a key springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global, but also as a gateway for overseas enterprises to enter the Mainland market, effectively facilitating two-way investment and trade flows.”
Key agreements signed during the Kazakhstan visit include partnerships between the HKTDC and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken," the Astana International Financial Centre, and Satbayev University. Other notable MoUs involve the Airport Authority Hong Kong with Almaty International Airport, Cyberport with Astana Hub, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited with the Astana International Exchange. In Uzbekistan, agreements were signed with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and IT Park Uzbekistan, among others.
Chief Executive John Lee highlighted the visit’s purpose: to explore emerging markets, strengthen government-to-government relations, and establish a hub-to-hub cooperation model. Both sides agreed to increase high-level mutual visits and support each other’s promotional activities. The Government of Uzbekistan also agreed to establish a Consulate General in Hong Kong.
Looking ahead, the parties look forward to welcoming more Central Asian enterprises to Hong Kong and to HKTDC’s flagship international conferences and exhibitions, including the Belt and Road Summit and InnoEX, to capitalize on Hong Kong’s strengths as an international business and trading hub and further deepen cooperation.
