TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 20. Hong Kong Chief
Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
early next month as part of the city’s strategy to expand its
economic presence in Central Asia, Trend reports via the Administration of Hong
Kong.
According to the Hong Kong administration, the trip will be the
largest business delegation organized during Lee’s tenure and will
focus on exploring new investment and trade opportunities across
the region.
Lee stated that after several years of actively strengthening
ties with the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong is now
shifting part of its external economic focus toward Central Asia.
He noted that the region is demonstrating steady economic
diversification and growing potential in finance, trade,
infrastructure, tourism, and green development.
The visit is taking place within the framework of the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI). The delegation will include more than 30
representatives of Hong Kong businesses operating in logistics,
innovation, and technology sectors.
In addition, around 30 entrepreneurs from 10 provinces,
municipalities, and autonomous regions of mainland China will join
the trip, representing industries such as energy, mining, high-tech
manufacturing, and automotive production.
The Hong Kong delegation will also include senior government
officials, representatives of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the
MTR Corporation, and academic institutions.
According to Lee, meetings with the leadership of Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan are planned to discuss the establishment of
intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, strengthening business
ties, and identifying new areas of partnership.
Infrastructure, hospitality, and education are expected to
become key areas of potential cooperation. In particular, the
parties are considering the expansion of academic exchange programs
and scholarship initiatives between universities in Hong Kong and
Central Asian countries under the Belt and Road framework.
Lee emphasized that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are among the
region’s most dynamic and rapidly developing markets. Kazakhstan,
the largest economy in Central Asia, recorded a GDP of $302.7
billion last year and serves as a major logistics hub connecting
Europe and China.
Uzbekistan, with the region’s largest population and strategic
geographic position, has been actively expanding cooperation with
Hong Kong. The two sides previously signed 15 bilateral agreements
covering infrastructure, healthcare, and metallurgy.
According to the stated objectives, the visit aims to explore
new markets, build a sustainable trade platform, deepen
intergovernmental dialogue, and develop a “hub-to-hub” cooperation
model between Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
Under this concept, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are viewed as
potential gateways for investment into Central Asia, while Hong
Kong could serve as a channel to East and Southeast Asian
markets.
