Hong Kong's Investment Chief Visits Central Asia to Strengthen Economic Ties and Explore Cooperation Opportunities.

Invest Hong Kong to explore new opportunities in Central Asia under Belt and Road Initiative

​The Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau, has started her visit to three major economies in Central Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative from October 18 to 25, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The visit aims to deepen Hong Kong's partnership with key economies in the region and explore new areas of co-operation.

"The three Central Asian countries, situated at the heart of the Eurasian continent, are crucial hubs of the Belt and Road Initiative. Their abundant natural resources, ongoing economic reforms, and vast market potential are unleashing strong growth momentum," Ms Lau said. "As a leading international financial and business hub, coupled with the synergistic effects of the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is committed to becoming a strategic gateway for Central Asian enterprises to access the Chinese Mainland and Asian markets."

"Hong Kong's sound regulatory framework, simple and low tax regime, and deep international talent pool can provide diversified financing channels for Central Asia's infrastructure and development projects. The city's professional services ecosystem can also empower local enterprises in their transformation and international expansion," she added. "I look forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with local government officials, institutional representatives, and entrepreneurs during this visit to jointly explore concrete co-operation projects in areas such as fintech, sustainable development, trade, and logistics, to achieve mutual benefits."

During the visit, Ms Lau will meet with government departments, financial regulators, stock exchanges, chambers of commerce, banks, and business leaders from sectors including finance, innovation and technology, and trade in the three countries to explore tangible co-operation opportunities and promote Hong Kong's unique business advantages.

Economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Central Asia are growing increasingly close. In 2023, the total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and Central Asia grew by over 50 per cent year on year, reaching over US$1.7 billion. Among them, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are Hong Kong's key trading partners in the region, with bilateral trade reaching US$1.39 billion and US$300 million respectively in 2023. Meanwhile, trade between Hong Kong and Kyrgyzstan recorded significant growth in the first three quarters of 2024, with exports growing by more than 1.5 times year on year and imports surging by more than five times, demonstrating the immense potential for bilateral co-operation.

Invest Hong Kong to explore new opportunities in Central Asia under Belt and Road Initiative Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government launches consultation work on improving complaint handling mechanism of MCHK

To improve the complaint handling mechanism of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), the Government will introduce a bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of this year to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the first consultation meeting today (January 16) to meet with representatives of patient groups and listen to their views.

Professor Lo said, "Members of the public have very high expectations of the MCHK in actively discharging their primary responsibility of safeguarding doctors' professional standards and ethical conduct. Patient groups are important stakeholders. They offered highly constructive suggestions at today's meeting. I look forward to continuing in-depth discussions with other stakeholders to explore proposals to improve the complaint handling mechanism of the MCHK, with a view to maintaining public trust in the medical profession."

At the request of the Secretary for Health, the MCHK earlier submitted a report on improving its complaint handling mechanism to the Health Bureau. The Health Bureau is reviewing the report and the supplementary information subsequently provided by the MCHK, and will consider the report's recommendations and the operational needs of the MCHK in proposing amendments to the Ordinance.

The Health Bureau will continue the consultation work by meeting with professional bodies and relevant stakeholders shortly to listen to their views.

Government launches consultation work on improving complaint handling mechanism of MCHK Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases