The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) hosted a dinner in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on September 6 (Astana time), to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region and to further deepen hub-to-hub co-operation between the two places.
 
     The dinner brought together over a hundred guests, including local leaders from the political, business, innovation and technology, and academic sectors, as well as executives and representatives from various related sectors, institutions, and enterprises in Hong Kong, providing a platform for exchanges, broader connections and exploration of more co-operation opportunities between the two places. Prominent guests attending the dinner included Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Mr Renat Bekturov; President of Nazarbayev University, Professor Waqar Ahmad; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the technology and innovation park – Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev, and Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Su Yu.
 
     In his opening remarks, the Director-General of Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan said that the Chief Executive led a delegation to visit Central Asia in June this year, advancing the hub-to-hub co-operation model, which has established a solid foundation for co-operation and opened up broader space for collaboration between the two places. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder" linking the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world, Hong Kong is the best platform for Central Asian enterprises to enter the Chinese Mainland and expand their businesses across Asia.
 
     "Kazakhstan is pressing ahead at full speed with its digital transformation and infrastructure development, which dovetails deeply with Hong Kong's unique strengths in finance, investment, innovation and technology, infrastructure, and professional services. As important hubs in their respective regions, the two places can generate synergy through co-operation, achieving a true hub-to-hub partnership – connecting Central Asia with the Chinese Mainland, Asia, and global markets," said Mr Chan.
 
     A representative from Invest Hong Kong also introduced to local guests at the dinner Hong Kong's various business advantages as an international financial centre, its vibrant business environment, and the investment opportunities in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     Mr Chan later attended China Conference: Central Asia 2026 and the ninth Astana Finance Days, exchanging views with executives and professionals from the finance, investment, technology, and other sectors in Central Asia and around the world. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a video speech at the annual conference, and Dubai ETO was also a supporting partner of the conference.
 
     During their stay in Astana, Dubai ETO officers held bilateral meetings with multiple government authorities and key institutions of Kazakhstan to strengthen Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with the country. Mr Chan met with Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Astana Hub, Mr Magzhan Madiyev, to explore co-operation opportunities in the digital economy and innovation ecosystem. Astana Hub is the largest international technology park in Central Asia and has signed memoranda of understanding with several major innovation and technology parks in Hong Kong. He also visited AIFC, where he exchanged views with Chief of Staff, Ms Dinara Zhakupova, on strengthening financial connectivity and co-operation between the two places.
 
     In addition, Mr Chan paid courtesy calls on the economic and foreign trade departments of the Kazakh government, including Director of the Department of International Economic Co-operation of the Ministry of National Economy, Mr Yerzhan Nessibkulov and Deputy General Director of the QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, Dr Ainur Amirbekova, to discuss expanding economic and trade co-operation. Apart from official institutions, Mr Chan also met with Chief Financial Officer of the Air Astana Group, Mr Gonçalo Pires, to jointly explore the possibilities of co-operation between the two places.
 
     Dubai ETO officers also visited Nazarbayev University which jointly offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (Eurasian Business Management) programme with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The first cohort of students commenced their studies at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business in late August this year. They will study at the university for the first two years before transferring to HKUST to complete the programme. Mr Chan met and exchanged views with the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr Tom Vinaimont, and the new students enrolled in the programme, learning about their studies and daily life in Kazakhstan and briefing them on the latest developments in Hong Kong. He wished them success in their studies in both places and expressed hope that they would make contributions to exchanges between Hong Kong and Central Asia in the future.

Ends/Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 1:40

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