Asia, Africa and Middle East CommitteeIncoming Visitors

Alper Türkendag, Unit Manager, and Ceren Elmali, Assistant Manager, Corporate and Commercial Banking Sales Division Cross Border Banking Unit, Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş. (İşbank) visited the Chamber on 12 March to identify gaps in financial services and explore potential business opportunities within the Hong Kong market. Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee, Bjoern Lindner, Vice Chairman of Europe Committee; Richard Wong, Convenor of the IP Trading and Financing Working Group, and members from the Financial & Treasury Services Committee welcomed the guests.
 
Türkendag detailed İşbank upcoming plans to establish a fully licensed bank in Hong Kong. During the discussion, Behzad Mirzaei highlighted a significant market gap in daily trade finance for high liquidity items, which represents a prime opportunity for İşbank to provide specialized solutions.
 
Türkendag emphasized İşbank’s unique position in facilitating transactions for Hong Kong businesses looking to enter the MENA region. He pointed out that while the Middle East offers vast opportunities as an emerging market, few banks currently provide a robust bridge between the two regions. By establishing a presence in Hong Kong, İşbank will become the first Turkish bank to set up operations in the city.
 

It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Farhod Arziev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to China to the Chamber on 10 March. The delegation was received by CEO Patrick Yeung, Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, Vice Chairman Qamar Minhas, and fellow committee members.
 
Uzbekistan has long been a center of civilization, serving as a hub of trade and culture at the heart of Central Asia along the historic Silk Road. Ambassador Arziev explained that Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, with 60% of the 40 million population being under the age of 30, well-educated and tech savvy. Following significant economic reforms initiated in 2017, the country has liberalized its economic relations with neighboring countries and embraced open market access.
 
Today, Uzbekistan is a highly connected nation that facilitates the flow of people and capital under the Belt and Road Initiative, offering visa-free entry to over 100 countries. To further deepen bilateral relations with China, it established a Free Economic Zone in the Syrdarya Region, which has grown into a major hub for Chinese investment and industrial development.
 

Kenny Lau, Investment Manager at Invest New Zealand, visited the Chamber on 13 February to exchange information and views on a wide range of topics. Lau was received by Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, and Vice Chairmen Qamar Minhas and Elton Chan, who is also a member of the General Committee.

Discussing New Zealand’s advantages for Hong Kong investors, Lau said both regions share similar political, legal and government frameworks, as well as a common language in English. Additionally, the country’s membership in the Five Eyes alliance has ensured its geopolitical stability. He mentioned that businesses have been routing goods through New Zealand for re-export to the United States and the Chinese Mainland to mitigate the impact of tariffs.

Members interested in investment opportunities in New Zealand can contact the Chamber secretariat for more details.