Chief Executive John Lee today continued his visit to Korea to participate in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities and met leaders from Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Fostering collaboration: Mr Lee (fourth left) meets Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong (fourth right). Image source: news.gov.hk
In the morning, Mr Lee joined the APEC Economic Leaders' Informal Dialogue with Guests, in which he said Hong Kong will uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system and promote regional economic co-operation in developing an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.
During a meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chief Executive said Hong Kong's simple and low tax regime provides an excellent business environment and encouraged more talent, businesses and capital from the UAE and the Middle East to establish a presence in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
Financial connection: Mr Lee (right) meets IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Image source: news.gov.hk
In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders. Hong Kong, China's representatives to the APEC Business Advisory Council Mary Huen and Geoffrey Kao were also present.
The Chief Executive also met Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva and thanked the IMF for consistently reaffirming Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre
Noting that Hong Kong is one of the world's major financial centres, he said the city will harness the asset-reallocation wave of global investors to continuously reform its capital markets, facilitate corporate fundraising, enhance market liquidity and promote financial innovation.
Trade talks: Chief Executive John Lee (right) joins President Xi Jinping (left) at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests in Gyeongju, Korea. Image source: news.gov.hk
Mr Lee met Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong afterwards. He welcomed Singaporean enterprises to invest in the city's Northern Metropolis, thereby strengthening co-operation in frontier technology fields and tapping into the Greater Bay Area's vast market potential.
Chief Executive John Lee will lead a trade mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, courting openings beyond traditional markets, while Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Chairman Frederick Ma is optimistic the visit will deliver.
Global connection: The HKTDC currently has offices in 51 locations across multiple countries, maintaining close ties with the political and business sectors in these areas to identify business opportunities for Mainland and Hong Kong enterprises. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Kazakhstan stands as Central Asia’s most developed economy and regional powerhouse, boasting an impressive gross domestic product that soared past US$300 billion in 2025.
Leading the region in both economic output and purchasing power, Kazakhstan serves as a vital business and logistics hub bridging China and Europe.
In this diverse nation, Kazakh and Russian are the predominant languages, while Islam and Christianity represent the major religions.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan claims the title of the region’s most populous country, strategically positioned at the heart of Central Asia and sharing borders with all its neighbouring nations.
With a storied past as a crucial segment of the ancient Silk Road trade routes, Uzbekistan has cultivated an environment ideal for stable economic growth, consistently achieving over 5% growth each year.
Hong Kong taps Central Asia growth. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
The growth trajectory positions Uzbekistan as a prime entry point for businesses eager to tap into the expansive Central Asian market.
A delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee will visit both countries in June.
Booming economy
HKTDC Chairman Frederick Ma said the trip will be highly beneficial, with a broad cross‑sector delegation expected to drive deals.
Kazakhstan is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner and a key export market in Central Asia. Hong Kong’s investment there is substantial; as of January 2026, Hong Kong ranked fourth among Asian net investors. Financial links are deepening, with the first dual listing last year spanning Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is also rolling out large-scale data centre projects, aiming to be the region’s leading digital hub. Mr Ma and his colleagues expect Mainland technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI) firms to see strong outbound opportunities via Hong Kong into this emerging market.
HKTDC Director of Research Bruce Pang explained Hong Kong can provide financial and professional services. As companies build AI platforms and lean on data centres, he noted, fundraising and financing become pivotal - and that is where Hong Kong can step in with solutions.
Hong Kong taps Central Asia growth. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Embracing transformation
In Uzbekistan, a nation with a population exceeding 38 million, abundant resources such as gold and cotton bolster its growth prospects. The country has made significant strides in enhancing its investment climate, gradually liberalising its foreign exchange market.
Moreover, Uzbekistan has streamlined customs and trade procedures, embraced digital transformation, and improved its legal and institutional frameworks. The HKTDC identifies substantial potential in Uzbekistan's infrastructure and logistics sectors, alongside opportunities for trade co-operation.
“Hong Kong firms can seize a first‑mover advantage by setting up or partnering with factories in Uzbekistan to develop products on the ground. Tashkent’s push to build a ‘Made in Uzbekistan’ brand can give Hong Kong companies a springboard into Central Asia and ultimately, European markets,” HKTDC Principal Economist Alice Tsang said.
Beneficial trip: Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Chairman Frederick Ma says the Chief Executive’s delegation can boost financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, while Hong Kong and Mainland companies can go global together to explore this emerging market. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
With the Mainland as Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 20% of its total foreign trade turnover, and Kazakhstan as the Mainland’s economic anchor in Central Asia, closing 2025 with bilateral trade volume of US$48.8 billion, accounting for 46% of the Mainland’s trade turnover with the region, the HKTDC noted Central Asia’s appeal to Mainland capital is rising, signalling stronger demand for Hong Kong’s financial and professional services, from cross‑border financing and wealth management to legal and compliance, positioning the city as a key intermediary.
