Kazakhstan has proposed a partnership combining its infrastructure and natural resources with mainland China’s manufacturing capacity and Hong Kong’s financial expertise. The proposal aims to attract investment into new businesses and develop supply chains serving Central Asian markets, DKNews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, presented the initiative during talks with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration, the meeting took place during the minister’s visit to Hong Kong, where he attended the 11th Belt and Road Summit on September 9, 2026.
Combining the strengths of three markets
Shakkaliyev proposed cooperation under a “Kazakhstan and Central Asia — mainland China — Hong Kong” framework. It would bring together Kazakhstan’s transport infrastructure and resource base, mainland China’s production capabilities, and Hong Kong’s experience in financing and managing projects.
The minister said Kazakhstan was strengthening its position as a transport and logistics link between Asia and Europe. Hong Kong, meanwhile, could contribute investment, financial services, management expertise and professional support.
In Shakkaliyev’s assessment, combining these strengths with Kazakhstan’s investment potential and Central Asia’s growing market could provide a foundation for new joint projects.
Lee supported the approach, describing Kazakhstan as one of the most promising destinations for Hong Kong companies seeking access to Central Asian markets.
He said Hong Kong could help bring investors, financial institutions, technology companies and professional service providers together to deliver major projects. The Hong Kong side expressed readiness to facilitate direct contacts between Kazakh projects and potential investors, including companies in mining and industry.
Industry, mining and finance on the agenda
The talks covered potential cooperation in transport and logistics, industry, mining, finance, digitalisation and investment.
Kazakhstan is seeking to establish new production facilities with foreign partners and develop regional production and distribution networks. These would connect businesses supplying raw materials and components with manufacturers and companies responsible for bringing finished goods to market.
Financial cooperation received separate attention. The two sides discussed attracting Hong Kong capital to projects in Kazakhstan, expanding cooperation between financial institutions and developing new financial instruments. They also considered opportunities in commodities trading.
The meeting followed Lee’s visit to Kazakhstan in June 2026. Both sides reviewed the implementation of agreements reached during that trip and noted positive momentum in their relationship.
Lee conveyed his greetings to Kazakhstan’s leadership and reaffirmed Hong Kong’s interest in advancing joint initiatives.
The parties agreed to continue developing specific projects and implementing earlier agreements. The ministry’s announcement did not identify prospective factories, investment amounts or launch dates.
Transport routes as a foundation for new production
Kazakhstan’s transport and transit capacity was also a central theme of Shakkaliyev’s summit address. The country is developing railways, roads, border crossings and logistics centres, alongside the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, commonly known as the Middle Corridor.
According to figures cited by the ministry, approximately 85% of overland rail freight between China and Europe passes through Kazakhstan. That estimate concerns rail shipments over land, rather than all freight moving between the two markets.
Shakkaliyev said the development of new routes should be accompanied by industrial cooperation. Kazakhstan wants transport corridors to support investment, new production facilities and regional supply chains.
This requires both physical infrastructure and efficient procedures. The ministry described the approach as developing “hard” and “soft” infrastructure together: roads, border crossings and logistics facilities alongside digital documentation, compatible standards, and simpler customs and logistics processes.
Kazakhstan is also expanding its network of terminals abroad and introducing digital tools to speed up cargo processing and tracking.
Trade with China reaches US$32.4 billion
The summit also provided an opportunity to present Kazakhstan’s latest trade figures with China and Hong Kong.
According to the ministry, Kazakhstan’s trade with China reached US$32.4 billion in January–July 2026, an increase of 24.1% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Trade with Hong Kong totalled US$250.6 million in the first half of 2026, rising to 2.6 times its level in the first half of 2025.
The figures cover different reporting periods: seven months for trade with China and six months for trade with Hong Kong.
Digital connections become part of the Belt and Road agenda
At the summit, an international forum focused on trade, investment and transport connectivity, Shakkaliyev spoke at the high-level Policy Dialogue session, “Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape.”
The discussion addressed how to build durable trade and investment relationships amid changes in the global economy.
The minister highlighted Kazakhstan’s historical connection to the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Silk Road Economic Belt in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, in 2013.
Shakkaliyev said digital connectivity, cross-border data flows and interoperable digital platforms were becoming increasingly significant alongside physical infrastructure. These issues now complement the development of transport facilities and trade routes.
Concluding his visit, the minister invited companies from Hong Kong and mainland China to participate in joint projects in Kazakhstan and use the country as a base for reaching Central Asian markets.
“Kazakhstan is open to partnership and ready for joint action. Our task is to turn Eurasia’s growing transport connectivity into new production facilities, investment and lasting trade ties,” Shakkaliyev said.
Kazakhstan’s financial institutions are also raising capital internationally to support domestic investment. Our related report explains how the Development Bank of Kazakhstan raised RMB3.7 billion for projects outside the raw materials sector, with the bonds listed on the Astana International Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
