Beefing up economic cooperation, promoting investments and leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths as a key world financial hub topped the agenda during meetings on Tuesday between Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and senior government officials from the Kyrgyz Republic and Pakistan attending the 18th annual Asian Financial Forum in the special administrative region.

During talks with Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, Lee noted that the Kyrgyz Republic has seen robust growth, with strong development potential.

Lee said the Kyrgyz Republic can maximize the SAR’s advantages as a major financing center, a sustainable financial pivot and a global offshore renminbi business hub, raise sustainable development funds and issue RMB bonds in the city to explore overseas and Chinese mainland markets, and boost financial innovation.

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He said under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has the distinctive benefit of enjoying the motherland’s strong backing and maintaining close links with the world. As a global financial, shipping and trading center, the SAR has continuously converged diverse sources of capital, international enterprises, and professional talent.

Accompanied by Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Joseph Chan Ho-lim, Lee also met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. In attendance were Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, and the country’s consul general in the HKSAR, Riaz Ahmed Shaikh.

Lee and Aurangzeb had constructive discussions on a wide range of topics, including economic collaboration, trade relations, investment opportunities, and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and the HKSAR. The talks focused on cementing ties and exploring avenues for mutual growth and prosperity.

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Lee stressed that Hong Kong works actively in line with national strategies like the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Belt and Road Initiative, while enhancing its external exchanges and co-operation, as well as economic and trade connections.

As the world’s freest economy, Hong Kong boasts a highly internationalized, market-oriented, and friendly business environment, making it an ideal place for companies to expand their global operations.

Lee noted that Pakistani nationals in Hong Kong have significantly contributed to the city’s development and promoted cultural inclusion, and hoped for closer economic and trade relations between Hong Kong and Pakistan to create more business opportunities for enterprises of both places.  

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Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of lifting economic and diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Hong Kong, highlighting the potential for increased cooperation in various sectors, including finance, technology and tourism.

He underlined the shared values and interests that bind both regions, saying Pakistan is committed to deepening these ties.

At a meeting with Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Lee said Hong Kong, as a member of the AIIB, will make good use of its robust financial network and unique advantages in bridging Eastern and Western cultures to contribute to the bank’s long-term development.

Xu Weiwei in Hong Kong contributed to the report.