September 9, 2026, Hong Kong – Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev took part in the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, one of the key international platforms for discussing trade, investment, and transport connectivity development.

As part of the Summit, the head of the MTI spoke at the high-level Policy Dialogue session "Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape," dedicated to forming sustainable trade and investment ties amid the transformation of the global economy.

Arman Shakkaliyev emphasized the special historical significance of the Belt and Road Initiative for Kazakhstan. It was in Astana in 2013 that President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China first proposed the idea of the Silk Road Economic Belt. According to the Minister, the initiative is now entering a new stage of development, where, alongside physical infrastructure, digital connectivity, cross-border data flows, and compatible digital platforms are becoming increasingly important.

It was also noted that over 7 months of 2026, Kazakhstan's trade turnover with China reached 32.4 billion US dollars, an increase of 24.1% compared to the same period. Positive dynamics are also maintained in trade with Hong Kong: in the first half of 2026, Kazakhstan's trade turnover with

Hong Kong amounted to 250.6 million US dollars, increasing 2.6 times compared to the same period in 2025.

Attention was also paid to Kazakhstan's transport potential. The country is consistently developing its railway and road infrastructure, border crossings, logistics centers, and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route – the Middle Corridor.

Today, about 85% of land-based rail freight traffic between China and Europe passes through the territory of Kazakhstan. At the same time, as Arman Shakkaliyev noted, Kazakhstan's task is not only to increase transit volumes but also to form a full-fledged economic corridor that creates conditions for new production facilities, investments, and regional supply chains.

In this regard, special importance is attached to the combination of "hard" and "soft" infrastructure – the development of transport facilities simultaneously with the digitalization of procedures, harmonization of standards, and simplification of customs and logistics processes. Kazakhstan is also expanding its network of foreign terminals and implementing digital solutions to speed up cargo clearance and tracking.

The Minister emphasized the significant potential for cooperation with Hong Kong as one of the leading international financial and business centers. According to him, combining Hong Kong's financial expertise, Kazakhstan's investment potential, and the growing market of Central Asia could become the basis for launching a new generation of joint projects.

As part of the working visit, a meeting also took place between Arman Shakkaliyev and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John Lee.

The parties noted the positive dynamics of Kazakhstan-Hong Kong cooperation and discussed the practical implementation of agreements reached during John Lee's visit to Kazakhstan in June of this year. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong conveyed warm wishes to the leadership of Kazakhstan and emphasized interest in further promoting joint initiatives.

Arman Shakkaliyev noted that Kazakhstan and Hong Kong possess complementary advantages. Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a key transport and logistics link between Asia and Europe, while Hong Kong possesses significant financial, investment, managerial, and professional expertise.

During the meeting, prospects for implementing joint projects in the fields of transport and logistics, industry, the mining sector, finance, digitalization, and investments were discussed.

The Minister informed about the large-scale work on developing Kazakhstan's transport and logistics infrastructure and noted that the formation of new routes should be accompanied not only by transit growth but also by the development of industrial cooperation. According to him, Kazakhstan is interested in locating new production facilities and forming regional production and distribution chains with the participation of foreign partners.

In turn, John Lee noted that Hong Kong is capable of acting not only as a connecting link between markets but also as a comprehensive partner in the implementation of large-scale projects – bringing together investors, financial institutions, technology, and professional companies.

The Hong Kong side expressed readiness to facilitate the establishment of direct contacts between Kazakhstani projects and potential investors, including companies operating in the mining and industrial sectors.

Special attention was paid to financial cooperation. The parties discussed opportunities for attracting Hong Kong capital to Kazakhstani projects, interaction between financial institutions, the development of new financial instruments, as well as prospects for cooperation in commodity trade.

Arman Shakkaliyev proposed developing cooperation in the format of a unique triangle "Kazakhstan and Central Asia – Mainland China – Hong Kong," combining Kazakhstan's infrastructure and resource potential with China's production capabilities and Hong Kong's financial and managerial expertise.

John Lee supported this approach, noting that Kazakhstan is one of the most promising destinations for Hong Kong companies entering the Central Asian market.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue joint elaboration of specific projects and ensure practical advancement of previously reached agreements.

Concluding the working program, Arman Shakkaliyev invited companies from Hong Kong and Mainland China to more actively utilize Kazakhstan's opportunities for implementing joint projects and entering the markets of Central Asia.

"Kazakhstan is open to partnership and ready for joint action. Our task is to turn the growing transport connectivity of Eurasia into new production facilities, investments, and sustainable trade ties," the Minister noted.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1288947?lang=ru