Hong Kong signs 43 deals with Kazakhstan firms

The agreements cover aviation, finance and trade, innovation and technology, among others.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is leading a delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 1 to 6 June 2026 to strengthen ties with Central Asia.

The delegation, composed of more than 70 business and professional representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland China, concluded 43 memoranda of understanding and agreements with companies and organisations from Kazakhstan during the first leg of the visit.

The agreements cover aviation, finance and trade, innovation and technology, the digital economy, green development, and other areas.

Lee said a Hong Kong airline plans to launch direct flights to Almaty in the first quarter of 2027.

He said Kazakhstan can serve as a hub for Hong Kong to connect with Central Asia, whilst Hong Kong can act as Central Asia’s hub for East and Southeast Asia.

During the visit, Lee met Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.

Lee said Hong Kong can support Kazakhstan’s economic reforms and infrastructure development through capital and asset allocation, citing the city’s role as a major financial centre, cross-boundary wealth management centre, and offshore renminbi business hub.

At Nazarbayev University, Lee said Hong Kong universities are deepening academic and research collaboration with Kazakhstan. The university reached memoranda of understanding with the Education University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, following an earlier agreement with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Lee will continue the mission in Uzbekistan for the second leg of the Central Asia visit.