Central Asia visit has cemented Hong Kong’s position as a superconnector
Beyond the value of the deals, the mission’s success can also be measured through the matching of interests between HK and mainland firms and their Kazakh and Uzbek counterparts
If any evidence was needed of the boundless potential of new partnerships with Central Asia, the success of last week’s high-powered business delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has uncovered it. Led by city leader John Lee Ka-chiu and including mainland entrepreneurs, it has showcased Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a global financial hub and bridge to mainland China.
Success is not just measured in the number and value of deals. A highlight of the five-day trip has been instant mutual attraction – the immediate matching of business interests – between Hong Kong and mainland companies and their counterparts from the two central Asian countries. It was reflected in eagerness to seal connections.
For example, during a meeting with Lee’s 70-strong delegation, it is understood Uzbekistan prime minister, Abdulla Aripov, outlined dozens of collaborative projects and assigned his ministers to follow up on them. Several mainland Chinese and Hong Kong business representatives quickly expressed enthusiasm for the initiatives. A number of companies attracted immediate inquiries and follow-up meetings. Hong Kong’s Palace Museum signed with a counterpart to co-curate exhibitions and the Airport Authority signed with an airline group to step up cooperation.
This vindicated the depth and inclusiveness of the delegation representing enterprises from different mainland provinces as well as from the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong, and sectors ranging from IT/tech to food and agriculture technology, biotech, textiles, mining, aviation and more.
All got to know better the investment environment and opportunities, including preferential policies to attract foreign investors, thanks partly to a briefing from China’s ambassador to Uzbekistan, Yu Jun. The delegation included 40 Hong Kong representatives from the logistics, innovation and technology, banking and aviation sectors, as well as 30 mainland entrepreneurs.
Authorities and businesses signed 96 agreements with the two countries worth a total of US$1.65 billion, which Lee said had set the stage for closer government and business ties with the region.