Alatau City Investment Roundtable in Hong Kong Signals Deepening Belt and Road Collaboration

The Alatau City Investment Round Table, held in Hong Kong on June 11, marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, building on the momentum of a recent visit to Central Asia by a business delegation led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. The event, organized by the Alatau City Authority, a state body of Kazakhstan, brought together high-level officials and business leaders to explore investment opportunities in the newly planned Alatau City, a greenfield project near Almaty.

Chief Executive John Lee emphasized Hong Kong's unique advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle, stating that Hong Kong is eager to collaborate with Kazakhstan on Alatau City and other initiatives. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev also attended, underscoring the strategic importance of the project. The roundtable focused on sectors including fintech, low-altitude economy, smart city development, and infrastructure, aligning with Kazakhstan's ambitious reform agenda.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) played a key role in facilitating the event. Silas Chu, Director of Exhibitions and Digital Business of HKTDC, highlighted the council's commitment to Central Asia, noting the opening of an Almaty consultant office in 2018. The HKTDC's platforms, such as the Belt and Road Summit and InnoEX, are expected to attract international investors and technology partners to Alatau City.

A notable development during the roundtable was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Templewater Limited and DASCO Capital to explore the establishment of a fund supporting the Alatau City project. This MoU is part of a broader wave of agreements stemming from the Central Asia visit, which resulted in 96 MoUs and agreements. Among these, the business delegation signed 66 MoUs covering trade, investment, finance, technology, and aviation. Government-level agreements included 15 cooperation pacts, while non-delegation members signed 15 MoUs in areas such as academia and culture.

The outcomes of the visit and the subsequent roundtable underscore Hong Kong's role as a key platform for Mainland enterprises to go global and for fostering long-term collaboration with Central Asian markets. The HKTDC will continue to provide professional business matching and support services to facilitate the implementation of key projects, helping enterprises seize new international opportunities. Through major conferences, business missions, and outreach initiatives, the HKTDC aims to promote collaboration between Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises and Belt and Road markets.

The Alatau City project represents a significant opportunity for investors, offering a modern, sustainable urban environment. The roundtable allowed participants to gain insights into the latest developments and investment incentives. With strong government support and the involvement of leading enterprises, Alatau City is poised to become a hub for innovation and economic growth in Central Asia.