Hong Kong Signs 96 Agreements Worth $1.65 Billion with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Hong Kong has signed 96 agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan worth US$1.65 billion during city leader John Lee Ka-chiu’s visit to Central Asia, which he hailed as a “successful” mission setting the stage for closer government and business ties with the region.
Lee on Thursday also said Hong Kong had reached an agreement with Uzbekistan that paved the way for airlines on both sides to launch a new direct route, days after the city’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways announced it would offer flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan next year.
He also revealed that Uzbekistan had agreed to open a consulate in Hong Kong.
Lee reviewed the achievements of his “successful” high-level visit after meeting Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev in Tashkent.
“Our visit has altogether reached 96 partnership agreements and memorandums of understanding [MOUs],” he said.
Fifteen were at the government-level covering areas such as trade, education and development, while the remaining 81 were signed by businesses and others.
