Hong Kong has signed 96 agreements worth US$1.65 billion with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s visit to Central Asia.
Fifteen agreements were reached at the government level covering trade, education and development. The remaining 81 were signed by businesses and other entities. Lee described the visit as successful after meetings in Tashkent with Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev. Uzbekistan also agreed to open a consulate in Hong Kong. Plans include direct flights between Hong Kong and Tashkent this year. Cathay Pacific Airways will launch services to Almaty in the first quarter of next year. Discussions are under way on visa-free access for up to 30 days.
