A Mainland telecommunications operator that is engaged in digital development in Central Asia will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to provide services for a logistics centre during Chief Executive John Lee’s visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan next month.
Mr Lee will lead a delegation to the two countries early in June.
The operator’s Head of Carrier Business Kevin Chan said he believes the Government’s official visit can help to deepen economic and trade exchanges with Central Asian countries.
“The local 5G development focuses on traditional consumer markets, while the enterprise service ecosystem is still evolving. We are going to give them our smart solutions through our logistics platform. On top of that, because we also have other projects happening in Central Asia, especially in the Kazakhstan region, they will be providing us with a logistics capability that they will make sure all the equipment and all our construction of these satellite base stations will be seamless.”
In March, the company established its Global Intelligence Center in Hong Kong.
Mr Chan said that Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” provides unique strategic advantages for the firm’s expansion into Central Asia.
“Central Asian countries lack direct physical access to undersea cables. While Hong Kong has the world’s highest density network of submarine cable landing stations and international data exchange centres, the company utilises this advantage to seamlessly connect Central Asia’s terrestrial optical cable system to Hong Kong. This allows Central Asian data to reach major global economies via the shortest route.”
He also highlighted the region’s young population and explosive demand for information, observing that these signal immense potential. For Central Asia, digital services also contribute to local development.
In addition to making specific local investments, the operator also works with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s GoGlobal Task Force to facilitate the globalisation of Mainland telecoms equipment, technical standards and service solutions.
Mr Chan pointed out that Central Asia only launched 5G in 2023, while the 5G market in the Chinese Mainland is relatively mature.
“As the Central Asian region has more mining industries, the company hopes to drive local enterprises to utilise 5G services with the Mainland’s smart mining solutions.”
Moreover, the company hopes to link the Greater Bay Area, Central Asia and Europe by constructing cross-border digital economy and logistics networks and developing opportunities along Belt & Road Initiative countries and regions.
