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During the Central Asia Mission led by Chief Executive John Lee, a total of 96 cooperation agreements and memoranda were signed. These include Memoranda of Understanding signed by the HKGCC with both the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
For Immediate Release
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) has strengthened its engagement with Central Asia through the signing of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on 2 and 4 June, respectively, with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The initiative marks a significant step in expanding Hong Kong’s international business network and creating new pathways for companies to go global and access emerging markets under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Under the terms of the MoUs, HKGCC and its counterparts will work together to leverage their respective strengths. HKGCC will bring its expertise in international business facilitation, market access and professional services, while its Central Asian partners will contribute their regional knowledge, networks and market development capabilities.
The agreements were concluded during a high-level business delegation to the two countries led by Chief Executive John Lee from 1 to 5 June, with Jeffrey Lam, HKGCC Council Member, among the accompanying delegates. Commenting on the visit upon his return, Lam said he was impressed by the strong support ecosystem in the region for facilitating business entry into Hong Kong, as well as the wide range of opportunities available.
“Businesses are built upon connections,” he affirmed. “By building closer and long-lasting relationships, we can better understand each other and lay a solid foundation for shared prosperity under the Belt and Road Initiative. We were honoured to meet leaders at the highest levels across various sectors during the trip, which reflected the importance of regional cooperation amid global de-coupling trends.”
The visit underscores Central Asia’s growing strategic importance and highlights Hong Kong’s role as a gateway for companies seeking to establish a presence in the city and expand into the Chinese Mainland. Delegates on the mission also signed additional MoUs with organisations and companies, further strengthening ties across Central Asia.
In addition to enabling Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland enterprises in exploring the potential of Central Asia, Lam noted that several key projects have also kicked off during the mission.
Lam also cited the direct air link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan as one such development: "With the resumption of direct flights to Almaty in Q1 2027, the agreements initiated now will pave the way for businesses—whether large corporations or SMEs—to harvest the many opportunities in Central Asia.”
Summing up the mission, Lam expressed confidence that the visit had deepened businesses’ understanding of the complementary strengths of the two regions. As a bridge between ASEAN and Central Asia, both serve as important gateways to broader international markets. Hong Kong will also leverage its position as a “super value-adder” by showcasing its strengths in professional legal and arbitration services, RMB settlement, and green finance.
“We will disseminate the insights gained during this trip among the Hong Kong business community, as both Hong Kong and Central Asian businesses stand to benefit from the information and collaboration,” he concluded.
For more information about the partnership and upcoming initiatives, please contact HKGCC or visit the Chamber’s official channels.
Media inquiries: Please contact Mr Jonathan Man at 2823-1229 / [email protected]