Key facts
- Hong Kong signed 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
- The total value of the agreements is US$1.65 billion.
- Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visited Central Asia to secure these deals.
- An agreement with Uzbekistan will establish new direct flight routes.
- Central Asia is being considered as a potential logistics hub for Hong Kong.
- Cargo volume between Hong Kong and two Central Asian countries increased nearly fivefold year-on-year.
- Hong Kong will launch a two-month public consultation on its first five-year plan.
- The public consultation for the five-year plan begins on June 15.
- The five-year plan aims to align Hong Kong's development with national objectives.
Hong Kong has signed 96 agreements valued at over US$1.65 billion with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The deals were finalized during a visit to Central Asia by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who led a delegation aimed at strengthening government and business ties between Hong Kong and the two nations. This strategic pivot seeks to unlock Central Asia's economic potential and diversify Hong Kong's own opportunities. Among the agreements is a deal with Uzbekistan that will enable new direct flight routes. Central Asia is also being positioned as a potential strategic logistics hub for Hong Kong. This development is influenced by disruptions to traditional trade routes stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. Reflecting this trend, cargo volume between Hong Kong and the two Central Asian countries has surged nearly fivefold year-on-year. In a separate development, Hong Kong is set to launch a two-month public consultation on its first five-year plan on June 15. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu described this initiative as a historic milestone, aimed at aligning the city's development with national objectives.