A business delegation led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 1 to 5 June, strengthening economic ties between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Central Asia. Following that visit, the Alatau City Authority, a state body of Kazakhstan, promptly held the Alatau City Investment Roundtable in Hong Kong on 11 June. The event, part of an official Kazakh delegation visit, reflects increasingly close bilateral ties and proactive efforts to build on the visit's outcomes.
The roundtable was attended by Chief Executive John Lee and Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, along with representatives from government bodies, leading enterprises, financial institutions, and investors from Kazakhstan, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong. Participants explored the latest developments and investment opportunities in Alatau City, a new greenfield project near Almaty, across sectors including fintech, low-altitude economy, smart city development, and infrastructure.
Chief Executive John Lee said at the roundtable: “Kazakhstan's ambitious reforms and its open, welcoming attitude towards international partners were both welcome and impressive. And Hong Kong is eager to build on this momentum, to explore wide-ranging business and investment co-operation with Kazakhstan - Alatau City very much included. I can tell you Hong Kong shares your commitment to openness and connectivity. Under the unique 'one country, two systems' principle, we are the only world city to combine the China advantage and the global advantage.”
Silas Chu, Director of Exhibitions and Digital Business of HKTDC, emphasized the council's commitment to the Central Asian market, noting the opening of an Almaty consultant office in 2018. He highlighted platforms like the Belt and Road Summit and InnoEX, which help promote Hong Kong's vision and attract international investors and technology partners.
Templewater Limited, a business delegate from the Central Asia mission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DASCO Capital to explore establishing a fund supporting the future development of Kazakhstan and the Alatau City Project.
The Central Asia visit yielded 96 MoUs and agreements. The business delegation signed 66, covering trade, investment, finance, technology, and aviation. Government-level agreements totaled 15, while non-delegation members signed 15 in academia and culture. These outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a key platform for Mainland enterprises to go global and promote long-term collaboration with Central Asian markets.
The HKTDC will continue to follow up on key projects initiated during the visit by providing professional business matching and support services. Through major conferences, business missions, and outreach, the council will promote collaboration between enterprises from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Belt and Road markets, enabling them to seize vast business opportunities.
