Hong Kong's John Lee touts city as launchpad for Uzbek firms globally

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu concluded his five-day regional tour in Uzbekistan by promoting the city as a prime gateway for Uzbek companies seeking global expansion. During a meeting with Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and a 70-strong Hong Kong delegation, Lee highlighted Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial centre backed by a robust rule-of-law environment, transparent regulatory regime, and open market. Lee also extended an invitation to Aripov to deliver a keynote address at the Belt and Road Summit, scheduled for September in Hong Kong.

Aripov reportedly outlined dozens of potential collaborative projects with Hong Kong during the meeting and assigned his ministers to follow up. Several mainland Chinese and Hong Kong business representatives in the delegation expressed strong enthusiasm, including Peter Lee Ka-kit, co-chairman of Henderson Land Development and Towngas, who noted his company's keen interest in expanding commercial operations in Uzbekistan. The visit underscores Hong Kong's push to strengthen economic ties with Central Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative.