SCMP Central Asia Forum Convenes in Astana, Highlighting Hong Kong-Central Asia Investment Opportunities
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The South China Morning Post and the Astana International Financial Center co-hosted the China Annual Meeting Central Asia stop forum in Astana, Kazakhstan on September 7, 2026. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered a keynote address highlighting the US$1.65 billion in cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during his June 2026 visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The forum, held ahead of Astana Financial Day, focused on four core themes: macroeconomics and diplomacy, mining and resources, financial services and capital raising, and infrastructure and connectivity.
Key Points
- The forum gathered institutional investors, corporate executives, tech innovators, and financial institutions from Central Asia, China, the Gulf region, and Europe
- Hong Kong-Central Asia goods trade reached US$324 million in 2025, a 27% increase from 2020, demonstrating growing bilateral economic ties
- John Lee led a high-level business delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June 2026, securing 96 cooperation agreements worth over US$1.65 billion
- AIFC and Hong Kong InvestHK signed a cooperation MOU establishing a two-way investment mechanism between the financial hubs
- A mainland bank accompanying the delegation provided US$785 million in financing to Kazakhstan Development Bank for local industry and infrastructure development
- Kazakhstan National Railway Company officially submitted a listing application to Hong Kong to tap the city's capital markets for financing
- Hong Kong Airlines announced it will launch direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in January 2027
Why It Matters
The forum marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's pivot toward Central Asia as a new frontier for economic partnership, with concrete deliverables including major financing commitments, a railway IPO application, and direct air connectivity. For Hong Kong, the AIFC partnership positions the city as a two-way bridge connecting Central Asian capital and resources with mainland Chinese markets, while the upcoming Almaty route will physically link Hong Kong to one of Central Asia's largest commercial centers .
The forum marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's pivot toward Central Asia as a new frontier for economic partnership, with concrete deliverables including major financing commitments, a railway IPO application, and direct air connectivity. For Hong Kong, the AIFC partnership positions the city as a two-way bridge connecting Central Asian capital and resources with mainland Chinese markets, while the upcoming Almaty route will physically link Hong Kong to one of Central Asia's largest commercial centers .