A business delegation led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has signed 43 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and announcements during a visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, aimed at bolstering economic and trade cooperation. The agreements span sectors including trade, finance, technology, aviation, and green finance, underscoring Hong Kong's role as a two-way services platform connecting China with Central Asia.
The delegation, which began its visit on June 1, includes 70 business leaders from Hong Kong and representatives from 17 provinces across mainland China. The MoUs were signed with Kazakh entities such as the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs 'Atameken', the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), and major corporations like Halyk Bank and Samruk-Kazyna. Notable agreements include partnerships between the HKTDC and Atameken, the Airport Authority and Almaty International Airport, and Cyberport with Astana Hub.
At a business luncheon attracting over 300 attendees, Lee highlighted Kazakhstan's historical role as a bridge between East and West and its modern status as a logistics hub. "Kazakhstan is a regional economic powerhouse," he said, emphasizing Hong Kong's eagerness to collaborate under the Belt and Road Initiative. HKTDC Chairman Prof. Frederick Ma noted Kazakhstan's GDP growth potential and the delegation's aim to showcase Hong Kong as a "superconnector and super value-adder."
The delegation also visited the Astana International Financial Centre and Astana Hub to explore tech and financial services. The agreements are expected to facilitate Mainland enterprises going global via Hong Kong, creating opportunities in logistics, green finance, digital economy, and agriculture.
This visit follows previous delegations to Qatar and Kuwait, and includes first-time participation from Hong Kong media associations, aligning with the Policy Address to expand overseas networks. The delegation will proceed to Uzbekistan to further explore cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
