A business delegation led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has completed its Central Asia tour, signing 66 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements during stops in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The agreements span trade, investment, finance, technology, and aviation, underscoring Hong Kong's role as a key platform for Mainland enterprises going global and deepening ties with Central Asian markets under the Belt and Road Initiative.
During the visit from June 1 to 5, the delegation met with senior government officials and business leaders, including the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce. The HKTDC will provide post-mission business matching and support services to expedite project implementation. In total, 15 cooperation agreements were signed at the government level, while non-delegation members signed 15 additional MoUs in academia and culture, bringing the total number of agreements to 96.
Chief Executive John Lee highlighted three objectives of the visit: exploring emerging markets, strengthening government-to-government relations, and establishing a hub-to-hub cooperation model. The delegation of 75 business leaders from Hong Kong and 17 Mainland provinces attended over 20 events and inspected projects in finance, innovation, and infrastructure. Key outcomes included Uzbekistan's agreement to establish a Consulate General in Hong Kong and multiple investment projects.
HKTDC Chairman Prof. Frederick Ma emphasized Hong Kong's role as a bridge for two-way investment and trade, noting that the visit reaffirmed trust in Hong Kong under the Belt and Road Initiative. The delegation included leaders from sectors such as financial services, logistics, technology, and green industries, with media representatives joining for the first time to expand Hong Kong's storytelling network.
In Kazakhstan, the delegation facilitated 43 MoUs, including agreements between HKTDC and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken," the Astana International Financial Centre, and Satbayev University. Other notable signings involved the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Almaty International Airport, Cyberport and Astana Hub, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited with AIX and AIFC.
In Uzbekistan, 23 MoUs were signed, including with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IT Park Uzbekistan, and Fly Khiva Group. Agreements also covered sectors like energy, pharmaceuticals, and construction, with companies like Deloitte China, Templewater Limited, and Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings participating.
Non-delegate organizations also established collaborations in education and culture, including City University of Hong Kong with Satbayev University and Tashkent State Technical University, and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority with the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan. The visit lays a solid foundation for long-term economic cooperation, with Hong Kong expected to welcome more Central Asian enterprises to its flagship events like the Belt and Road Summit and InnoEX.
