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Hong Kong a ‘trusted partner’ to drive Central Asia growth, city leader says

Hong Kong is committed to being a “trusted partner” in driving Central Asia’s emergence as a global growth engine, according to the city’s leader, who…

By Samantha Johnson / September 7, 2026
Hong Kong is committed to being a “trusted partner” in driving Central Asia’s emergence as a global growth engine, according to the city’s leader, who hailed the substantial outcomes achieved since his landmark mission to the region.
In a virtual appearance at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Central Asia 2026 held in Astana on Monday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that a bank in his June delegation had since backed the Development Bank of Kazakhstan with US$785 million in financing.

Kazakhstan’s national rail operator KTZ had also filed to list in Hong Kong, while a local family office had signed an agreement with the Central Asian country’s authorities to strengthen cooperation in sustainable energy, he said.

Lee underscored that Central Asian countries – all important economies of the Belt and Road Initiative – possessed immense potential and opportunities for global businesses seeking to diversify their activities and strengthen international connections.

The Belt and Road Initiative refers to a plan rolled out by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 to grow global trade.

“As we look ahead, the promise of Central Asia as a global growth engine is not to be missed. Hong Kong stands ready as your trusted partner, connecting markets, financing sustainable growth and driving seamless cross-boundary trade,” Lee stressed.

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