Hong Kong is showing growing interest in Kazakhstan. Following a series of major agreements, the city’s business and legal communities are moving to the next stage of cooperation — providing legal support to Chinese companies planning to enter the Kazakh market, DKNews.kz reports.
Hong Kong hosted the forum “Legal and Professional Services to Facilitate Chinese Enterprises’ Entry into the Kazakhstan Market,” organized by the Asia-Pacific legal association. The event brought together representatives of justice authorities, development institutions, consulting firms and Chinese businesses.
Legal Support Comes Into Focus After $1.6 Billion in Agreements
Hong Kong’s interest in Kazakhstan has already moved beyond discussions about potential investment.
Kazakhstan’s Consul General in Hong Kong Baurzhan Dosmanbetov recalled that more than 70 representatives of major businesses joined John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, during his visit to Kazakhstan in June. The visit resulted in 61 agreements worth more than $1.6 billion.
The focus is now shifting to a practical issue that follows investment interest: how to provide legal support for transactions and help Chinese companies operate in Kazakhstan.
Dosmanbetov invited Hong Kong entrepreneurs to further expand their presence in the Kazakh market.
Hong Kong Sees Itself as a “Financial Gateway” to Kazakhstan
Hong Kong’s Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan outlined a broader role for the city.
He said Hong Kong could serve as a “financial gateway” for Chinese companies entering the markets of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. He also highlighted the extensive experience of Hong Kong law firms in English law as one of the city’s key advantages.
For businesses, this adds another dimension to cooperation: alongside capital and project opportunities, companies need a legal framework that can support transactions and protect commercial interests.
Kazakhstan Explains Market Rules to Chinese Businesses
The practical aspects of entering the Kazakh market were presented by Shaimerden Chikanayev, partner at the Kazakh law firm Grata International and an expert in international law.
He briefed forum participants on the legal regulation of business activities in Kazakhstan and mechanisms available to protect investors’ rights.
The agenda reflects a shift in the nature of economic ties. Potential investors increasingly need more than a general introduction to Kazakhstan — they require a clear understanding of legislation, legal procedures and mechanisms for protecting their interests.
Hong Kong’s Interest Goes Beyond Finance
The forum demonstrated that Hong Kong’s business community is interested not only in financial and economic projects in Kazakhstan, but also in the legal services sector.
The legal and professional services market is emerging as a separate area supporting broader investment cooperation. Following the meetings, participants expressed interest in building a legal support system for large-scale investment engagement between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.
Against this backdrop, the more than $1.6 billion in agreements signed in June take on additional significance: after securing investment commitments, the sides are now discussing the legal infrastructure needed to support further business activity.
Earlier, we reported on how Kazakhstan and Hong Kong are expanding cooperation in investment, logistics and technology.
