SFST calls on Central Bank of Uzbekistan and Stock Exchange in Tashkent (with photos)

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     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, called on the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and Stock Exchange on May 6 (Tashkent time) in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, to explore opportunities for financial collaboration.

     At the national level, Uzbekistan is a major gold producer and trader. During his meeting with the Deputy Director of the International Reserves Management Department of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Mr Kamol Alimukhamedov, Mr Hui highlighted that Hong Kong is pressing ahead with the development of a gold trading market highly aligned with the international market, including establishing at full steam a gold central clearing system in Hong Kong for commencing trial operations within this year. Hong Kong also has a clear goal of enhancing gold storage facilities to exceed 2 000 tonnes of storage capacity within three years. The Airport Authority of Hong Kong has launched a project to expand warehousing to a thousand-tonne scale. Mr Hui anticipated that both sides could use gold as a starting point to deepen co-operation with Belt and Road countries and other international market players, thereby extending the historical legacy of the ancient Silk Road in driving trade and economic integration.

     On the same day, Mr Hui also visited the Tashkent Stock Exchange and met with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fayzulla Tashov. He noted that Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, has been connecting overseas markets. Currently, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has included 20 overseas stock exchanges on its list of recognised stock exchanges. At a time when Uzbek enterprises are encouraging international capital investment, Mr Hui welcomed Uzbek enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's role as a major capital formation centre for equity and bond financing, such as issuing Renminbi (RMB) bonds for RMB trade settlement and other RMB-related financial transactions, thus facilitating economic and trade relations between Uzbekistan and the Mainland.

     Mr Hui also met with the Deputy Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development, Mr Sarvar Khamidov, on the same day. They discussed ways to enhance financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan, including the early commencement of negotiations on a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.

     During his brief stay in Tashkent, Mr Hui paid a courtesy call on the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan, Mr Wang Jiwei. He expressed his gratitude for the continued concern and support from the Central Government for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He mentioned the fruitful and deep exchanges with other members on regional development, common challenges, and coping strategies during the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank over the past few days. He also highlighted to the members that Hong Kong is the only city where Mainland advantages and international advantages converge, making it the best gateway connecting the world and the Mainland markets. Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the nation's development as a financial powerhouse by consolidating its international financial centre status through the exploration of new growth drivers such as developing gold and commodities markets.

     Central Asia is an important component of the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong will continue to deepen its financial co-operation with the region.

     Mr Hui arrived in Hong Kong today (May 7, Hong Kong time).

Ends/Thursday, May 7, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:25

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The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, called on Central Bank of Uzbekistan on May 6 (Tashkent time) in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Photo shows Mr Hui (second right) meeting with the Deputy Director of the International Reserves Management Department of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Mr Kamol Alimukhamedov (second left), highlighting that Hong Kong is pressing ahead with the development of a gold trading market highly aligned with the international market, including establishing at full steam a gold central clearing system in Hong Kong for commencing trial operations within this year.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, called on the Central Bank of Uzbekistan on May 6 (Tashkent time) in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Photo shows Mr Hui (fourth left) and the Deputy Director of the International Reserves Management Department of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Mr Kamol Alimukhamedov (fourth right), after the meeting. Next to Mr Hui is the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (third left).

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, called on the Tashkent Stock Exchange on May 6 (Tashkent time) in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Photo shows Mr Hui (second right) meeting with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fayzulla Tashov (third left), and encouraging Uzbek enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's role as a major capital formation centre for equity and bond financing. Also present is the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (third right).

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (left), paid a courtesy call on the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan, Mr Wang Jiwei (right), in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, on May 6 (Tashkent time). He told Mr Wang that Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the nation's development as a financial powerhouse by consolidating its international financial centre status through the exploration of new growth drivers such as developing gold and commodities markets.