The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, and Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) Mr Abror Mirzo Olimov, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Belt and Road Summit 2026 today (September 9) to foster closer gold market co-operation between the two sides.

     The MOU signifies a fruitful outcome of the successful visit to Central Asia in June this year by a high-level Hong Kong delegation led by the Chief Executive, further deepening government-to-government ties between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan under the Belt and Road Initiative.  

     Uzbekistan is one of the world's most gold-rich countries by production, geological endowment and official holdings. The MOU provides a structured framework for Hong Kong and Uzbekistan to explore how Hong Kong's international financial platform and precious metals market infrastructure can complement Uzbekistan's strengths as a major gold-producing and reserve-holding jurisdiction. The two sides will work closely on key areas of mutual interest, including exchanging information, knowledge and experience on the gold and precious metals market and operating related financial market infrastructure; services provided by the gold central clearing and settlement system of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited (HKPMCC); and opportunities and conditions for the CBU's potential participation in precious metals operations in Hong Kong through the HKPMCC. 

     Mr Hui said, "The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline explicitly supports Hong Kong in building a comprehensive commodity trading ecosystem. Today's MOU with the CBU is a concrete step forward towards realising the important strategy of our nation and Hong Kong by deepening the ties with one of our key partners under the Belt and Road Initiative. As I have shared with my counterparts during the meetings with the CBU in May and June earlier this year, Hong Kong's internationalised and trusted financial market and Uzbekistan's rich gold endowment and its drive to attract international capital investment are a perfect pairing. I look forward to working closely with the CBU to exchange experience, study market infrastructure including the HKPMCC, and explore practical pathways for future co-operation that can benefit both sides and the wider region."

     Mr Abror Mirzo Olimov said, "This MOU marks an important step forward in the growing financial partnership between financial authorities of Uzbekistan and Hong Kong. As one of the world's leading gold-producing nations, Uzbekistan places great importance on diversifying and strengthening the infrastructure that supports our precious metals sector. We look forward to working close with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and Hong Kong's financial institutions to pursue co-operation that supports the long-term diversification and resilience of our gold market."

     Mr Hui also joined today the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, to co-host a roundtable meeting with the Hong Kong financial sector and companies. At the meeting, participants engaged in fruitful discussions on deepening practical co-operation and exploring concrete investment opportunities in Uzbekistan, with a focus on expanding Hong Kong enterprises' international footprint and establishing long-term strategic partnerships.

     The FSTB will host a bilateral meeting with the CBU tomorrow (September 10) to discuss in detail the visions outlined in the MOU. The FSTB will also continue to work with other Belt and Road partners, industry and regulators to advance Hong Kong's development as an international gold and commodities hub.

Ends/Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:05

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