Dubai ETO Hosts Dinner in Kazakhstan to Deepen Hub-to-Hub Cooperation between Hong Kong and Central Asia

Dubai ETO hosts dinner in Kazakhstan to deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between Hong Kong and Central Asia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) hosted a dinner in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on September 6 (Astana time), to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places.

The dinner brought together over a hundred guests, including local leaders from the political, business, innovation and technology, and academic sectors, as well as executives and representatives from various related sectors, institutions, and enterprises in Hong Kong, providing a platform for exchanges, broader connections and exploration of more co-operation opportunities between the two places. Prominent guests attending the dinner included Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Mr Renat Bekturov; President of Nazarbayev University, Professor Waqar Ahmad; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the technology and innovation park – Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev, and Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Su Yu.

In his opening remarks, the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan said that the Chief Executive led a delegation to visit Central Asia in June this year, advancing the hub-to-hub co-operation model, which has established a solid foundation for co-operation and opened up broader space for collaboration between the two places. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder" linking the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world, Hong Kong is the best platform for Central Asian enterprises to enter the Chinese Mainland and expand their businesses across Asia.

"Kazakhstan is pressing ahead at full speed with its digital transformation and infrastructure development, which dovetails deeply with Hong Kong's unique strengths in finance, investment, innovation and technology, infrastructure, and professional services. As important hubs in their respective regions, the two places can generate synergy through co-operation, achieving a true hub-to-hub partnership – connecting Central Asia with the Chinese Mainland, Asia, and global markets," said Mr Chan.

A representative from Invest Hong Kong also introduced to local guests at the dinner Hong Kong's various business advantages as an international financial centre, its vibrant business environment, and the investment opportunities in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Chan later attended China Conference: Central Asia 2026 and the ninth Astana Finance Days, exchanging views with executives and professionals from the finance, investment, technology, and other sectors in Central Asia and around the world. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a video speech at the annual conference, and Dubai ETO was also a supporting partner of the conference.

During their stay in Astana, Dubai ETO officers held bilateral meetings with multiple government authorities and key institutions of Kazakhstan to strengthen Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with the country. Mr Chan met with Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev, to explore co-operation opportunities in the digital economy and innovation ecosystem. Astana Hub is the largest international technology park in Central Asia and has signed memoranda of understanding with several major innovation and technology parks in Hong Kong. He also visited AIFC, where he exchanged views with Chief of Staff, Ms Dinara Zhakupova, on strengthening financial connectivity and co-operation between the two places.

In addition, Mr Chan paid courtesy calls on the economic and foreign trade departments of the Kazakh government, including Director of the Department of International Economic Co-operation of the Ministry of National Economy, Mr Yerzhan Nessibkulov and Deputy General Director of the QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, Dr Ainur Amirbekova, to discuss expanding economic and trade co-operation. Apart from official institutions, Mr Chan also met with Chief Financial Officer of the Air Astana Group, Mr Gonçalo Pires, to jointly explore the possibilities of co-operation between the two places.

Dubai ETO officers also visited Nazarbayev University which jointly offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (Eurasian Business Management) programme with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The first cohort of students commenced their studies at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business in late August this year. They will study at the university for the first two years before transferring to HKUST to complete the programme. Mr Chan met and exchanged views with the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr Tom Vinaimont, and the new students enrolled in the programme, learning about their studies and daily life in Kazakhstan and briefing them on the latest developments in Hong Kong. He wished them success in their studies in both places and expressed hope that they would make contributions to exchanges between Hong Kong and Central Asia in the future.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) visited Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan (centre), meeting students of the programme jointly offered by Nazarbayev University of Kazakhstan and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) visited Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan (right) meeting with Department of International Economic Co-operation of the Kazakhstan Ministry of National Economy, Mr Yerzhan Nessibkulov (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) visited Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan (second right), listening to the introduction of Kazakh products by the Deputy General Director of the QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, Dr Ainur Amirbekova (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) visited Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan (left centre) meeting with AIFC Chief of Staff, Ms Dinara Zhakupova (right centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) visited Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan (right) meeting with Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai hosted a dinner in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on September 6 (Astana time), to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places, and attended the China Conference: Central Asia 2026. Photo shows the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivering a video speech at the conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) hosted a dinner in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on September 6 (Astana time), to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan (fourth right); the Governor of Astana International Financial Centre, Mr Renat Bekturov (centre); Publisher of South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam (fifth left); President of Nazarbayev University, Professor Waqar Ahmad (fourth left); Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Su Yu (third left), and other guests at the dinner. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) hosted a dinner in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on September 6 (Astana time), to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places. Photo shows the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan, speaking at the dinner. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner today (November 8):

Professor Dennis Lo (President of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences), Mr Zhang Yichen (Rotating Chairman of the Council of the Future Forum 2026), Future Science Prize Laureates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is a great pleasure to join you tonight, at the Future Science Prize Gala Dinner, celebrating the 10th anniversary edition of the Future Science Prize and this year's Laureates.

I am honoured to welcome to Hong Kong some of the world's finest scientists, many of whom have devoted decades to solving science's most complex theoretical questions and its most challenging practical problems.

There is a classic observation in business: great companies often lose their lead not because they are poorly run, but because they focus too closely on what already works. They serve their biggest customers and improve their best products, while new and innovative technologies quietly take root elsewhere.

Consider the smaller hard-disk drives that emerged in the 1980s. They stored less and seemed to hold little appeal for consumers. Yet they improved, found new markets and eventually transformed the industry. The incumbents saw the technology, but underestimated its promise. By the time its value became clear, it was already too late.

The same challenge confronts science. The most disruptive discoveries may initially offer little hint of their significance. If basic research has a customer, it is the future. And the future takes time to fully reveal itself. What seems obscure today may become the accepted starting point for the next generation.

The Future Science Prize understands that scientific and societal evolution. In 2016, a group of scientists and entrepreneurs committed their own resources to establish the first privately funded science prize in China. Ten years on, it has honoured 49 scientists and become a highly anticipated event on the international scientific calendar.

Tonight, we pay tribute to three outstanding laureates. Professor Zhang Hong has uncovered how autophagy works in multicellular organisms. Professor Zhao Dongyuan has pioneered mesoporous materials. Professor Yuan Xinyi has made foundational contributions to arithmetic geometry. Their trailblazing research is a reminder that the full significance of a discovery often takes time to emerge. And this is more the rule than the exception.

That is why the Future Science Prize matters. It celebrates groundbreaking research that has yet to fully unfold and reveal itself. It reflects the wisdom of science, the openness of society, determined to pursue what it cannot yet understand or foresee.

Hong Kong has deep ties to the Prize. The Future Science Awards Foundation is registered here in this city, and we are proud to host the four-day Prize Week. Over the past decade, six Hong Kong scientists have been named laureates of the Prize. We are part of this scientific community. And we will continue to develop Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre, where even the most modest beginnings can be recognised, nurtured and given room, and time, to flourish.

Tonight, we celebrate both remarkable discoveries and the possibilities that lie ahead. Let us salute our Laureates, the spirit of science and a future rich with promise.

I know you will enjoy this memorable evening. And the rest of Future Science Prize Week, right here in Hong Kong, Asia's world city.

Thank you.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by FS at Future Science Prize Science Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images