The 11th Belt & Road Summit, currently being held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, has brought together government and business representatives from various Belt & Road economies. Speaking in an interview today, the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, said Hong Kong is an important partner and reiterated the bloc’s support for the city joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Dr Kao said Hong Kong is a very important gateway on its own, as well as for the Chinese Mainland, adding that ASEAN has been co-operating with Hong Kong in different areas including tourism, trade and investment. He noted that the bloc believes including Hong Kong as part of this broader regional economic framework is important for all member states.
Another summit participant, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence & Digital Development Bakhtiyar Mukhametkaliyev, expressed confidence that collaboration with Hong Kong can produce win-win outcomes.
Highlighting Hong Kong’s robust financial infrastructure and deep market experience, Mr Mukhametkaliyev said that companies can come to Hong Kong to structure deals, and then expand their operations to Kazakhstan with local government support regarding land acquisition and a special tax regime, which will enhance co-operation to a new level and benefit the entire Central Asia market.
