Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
June 05, 2026
Hong Kong’s Largest Business Delegation Seals $1.65B Deals in Central Asia
TLDR
- Hong Kong delegation signs 96 deals worth over $1.65 billion, gaining a foothold in Central Asian markets.
- The delegation secured 96 agreements across eight areas including finance, I&T, aviation, and visa-free travel.
- Visa-free access and direct flights foster people-to-people ties, making travel and cultural exchange easier.
- Hong Kong's delegation visited IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization during the trip.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it signals Hong Kong’s strategic pivot to diversify its economic partnerships beyond traditional Western markets, tapping into the rapidly growing Central Asian economies. For businesses and investors, the 96 agreements and visa-free travel with Uzbekistan open new doors for trade, investment, and innovation, particularly in finance, I&T, and aviation. The hub-to-hub cooperation model positions Hong Kong as a gateway for Chinese and international companies to access Central Asia, while also enabling Central Asian firms to leverage Hong Kong’s global connections. This could lead to increased job opportunities, cheaper goods through new trade routes, and cultural exchanges that enrich both regions.
Summary
A landmark five-day business mission led by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee concluded on June 5, 2026, after visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The delegation, comprising over 70 business and institutional leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, was the largest and most diverse overseas mission of the current HKSAR government. The trip yielded significant results, including 96 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding valued at over US$1.65 billion, covering sectors such as finance, innovation and technology (I&T), aviation, and trade. Key achievements included a mutual visa-free arrangement with Uzbekistan allowing 30-day stays, initialing of an Air Services Agreement, and progress on direct flights between Hong Kong and Tashkent.
Chief Executive Lee outlined three main objectives for the visit: exploring emerging markets, strengthening government-to-government ties, and building a hub-to-hub cooperation model. The delegation engaged with top officials in both countries, including Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Lee emphasized Hong Kong’s advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, positioning the city as a “super connector” and “super value-adder.” He highlighted Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that China is Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner and that Hong Kong’s professional services can support revitalizing the ancient Silk Road.
The mission also facilitated deeper people-to-people exchanges through education, culture, and tourism initiatives. Delegates toured IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization. The trip underscored Hong Kong’s commitment to strengthening ties with Central Asia, opening new avenues for collaboration in I&T, aviation, and finance. As Media OutReach Newswire reported, the visit demonstrated Hong Kong’s effective role as a platform for going global, with enterprises from Hong Kong and the Mainland joining forces to tap new markets. The results signal a new chapter in Hong Kong-Central Asia relations, with tangible outcomes that promise long-term economic and cultural benefits.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by Media Outreach. Read the original source here, Hong Kong’s Largest Business Delegation Seals $1.65B Deals in Central Asia
