Central Asia is closer to Hong Kong than many people think. Chief Executive John Lee led the HKSAR Government's largest and most wide-ranging 70-member business delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan—an "ice-breaking" visit with clear strategic intent. It was not only a high-level economic mission but also a proactive step as Hong Kong seeks a stronger global role at the opening of the national 15th Five-Year Plan and a new decade of high-quality Belt and Road development. A direct flight from Hong Kong to Kazakhstan takes around six to seven hours, highlighting Hong Kong's geographic and institutional strengths as a bridge between the Mainland and Central Asia.
The delegation completed its program from June 1 to 5 and returned to Hong Kong on June 6. The visit strengthened high-level government-to-government ties and produced multi-sector cooperation. In total, local innovation and academic institutions signed 96 agreements and MoUs, totaling more than US$1.65 billion.
Following the trip, we interviewed the Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong and Macao SARs, who offered a candid view of what should come next. He noted that Hong Kong businesses have limited representation in Kazakhstan, Kazakh businesses have limited presence in Hong Kong, and cooperation has traditionally been much deeper with the Chinese mainland. For him, the immediate priority is therefore practical B2B relationship-building: more meetings, more direct engagement, and a clearer understanding of what each side can offer.
On which sectors can move fastest, he highlighted finance and innovation & technology. He said Kazakhstan is looking to deepen digital and AI cooperation, including plans linked to the Astana Hub and interest in expanding cooperation platforms in Hong Kong.
He also underlined Kazakhstan's long-standing partnership with the Chinese mainland for over 35 years, with trade turnover exceeding US$48 billion, and said Kazakhstan sees Hong Kong as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder" for Belt and Road projects and logistics cooperation (including port-related arrangements in China), as well as financial services and fintech. Importantly, he said Kazakhstan hopes to work with Hong Kong not only bilaterally, but also through Hong Kong to engage the broader ASEAN region.
(Produced by Ian & Felicia)
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