RTHK English
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) is urging local businesses to seize the abundant opportunities in Central Asia, as Chief Executive John Lee set off to the landlocked region on Sunday with dozens of high-level business representatives. The delegation will first visit Kazakhstan before heading south to Uzbekistan. In an interview with RTHK ahead of the trip, Bruce Pang, TDC's Director of Research, said that the resource-rich region opens up new supply chain corridors for Hong Kong, while the city can offer its expertise in logistics, finance and technology. "Most of the Central Asian countries are looking to upgrade their logistics systems, facilities and capacity," Pang said, noting that Hong Kong companies possess the "know-hows, knowledge and talent pools" in this field. The SAR's capital markets are equally attractive to Central Asian nations — Pang noticed companies are utilising various facilities to raise funds in Hong Kong, including IPOs and the issuance of dim sum bonds. He highlighted a recent dual listing of a mining firm in Hong Kong and Astana stock exchanges, while there are reports that Kazakhstan's state railway operator is eyeing a debut in the SAR. On research and development, Pang believed Central Asia's ambitious plans for digitalisation and artificial intelligence align with Hong Kong's strengths. "Hong Kong will be one of the hubs for research and development powerhouses," he said, adding that the city's talent pools can help the region meet its technology and ESG standards. He also believed Central Asia can help Hong Kong better position itself in the changing global trade landscape. "In the past several years ... more companies are using Central Asia as a gateway," Pang explained, noting the region is becoming a critical transit hub for goods moving between the East and West. The SAR duty visit signalled a strategic pivot, he said, while the TDC encouraged the local business community to view Central Asia not just as a source of commodities, but as a frontier market for high-value services. Edited by Raymond Yeung
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