Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Hong Kong Trade Development Council chairman Frederick Ma said he is shifting his focus to Uzbekistan after wrapping up the Kazakhstan leg of a Central Asia mission led by the chief executive, expressing strong expectations for reciprocal deals and new collaboration models during the upcoming visit.
Ma described the Kazakhstan stop as "very meaningful," according to RTHK, noting it is the birthplace of the New Silk Road where President Xi Jinping first announced the Belt and Road Initiative in a landmark speech at Nazarbayev University in 2013. He pointed to the signing of 43 memoranda of understanding and the launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty next year as evidence the visit had opened, in his words, "a lot more doors for Hong Kong and Chinese mainland businesses."
Turning to Uzbekistan, Ma outlined clear goals for the next leg of the trip. "We will meet again many government officials as well as entrepreneurs in that country," he told RTHK, noting that Uzbek senior leaders had visited Hong Kong a few weeks earlier. "This is a very good way to reciprocate their visit," he added.
While Ma did not disclose specific agreements being pursued for Uzbekistan, he confirmed to RTHK it would be his first visit to the country, compared with three previous trips to Kazakhstan. On potential collaboration models, he pointed to growing financial linkages with Central Asia, revealing that at least one portfolio company of the region's sovereign fund is expected to list in Hong Kong, following in the footsteps of Kazakh entities that have used Hong Kong's bond and equity markets. A mining company dual-listed in Hong Kong and Astana last year, he added.
Ma signaled to RTHK that the TDC sees Central Asia as a long-term engagement priority, with the Uzbekistan visit intended to build on the momentum generated in Kazakhstan.
