HONG KONG – Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister and Commissioner of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev visited China’s Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macau on Sept. 16-19 promote the upcoming exhibition in Astana and seek the participation in it by companies from one of the world’s most competitive economies.
Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister and Commissioner of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev (left) and Chief executive of Macau SAR, Chui Sai On, discussed expanding cooperation in the field of tourism.
On the first day of his visit, Zhoshybayev met Gregory So, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and exchanged views on current developments and prospects for Kazakhstan-Hong Kong cooperation, in particular, in investment.
During the visit, a roundtable of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council was held with the participation of local businesses doing work in Kazakhstan or planning to work with Kazakhstan. The roundtable included discussion of opportunities for Hong Kong companies to take part in EXPO 2017 in Astana under the EXPO’s theme of “Future Energy”.
On Sept. 17-18, the Kazakh delegation took part in the Macau 2013 Global Tourism Economy Forum. During the event, Zhoshybayev and members of his delegation met Chui Sai On, chief executive of Macau SAR, to discuss expanding cooperation in the field of tourism. The forum also gave the Kazakhs an opportunity to meet executives from large companies of Macau to attract investment for EXPO 2017.
“This most recent visit gave a powerful impetus to further development of Kazakhstan’s bilateral relations with Special Administrative Regions of ARs Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong and Macau officials were informed about our international initiatives, tourism potential and preparations for EXPO2017 in Astana,” Nurzhan Abdymomunov, Kazakhstan’s Consul General in Hong Kong, said. “Overall, we see a growing interest by Hong Kong and Macao companies in participating in the construction of EXPO 2017 facilities in Astana. We have agreed on using this annual Global Tourism Economy Forum next year to present Kazakhstan’s tourism opportunities and promote EXPO2017.”
“Hong Kong Trade Development Council invited Hong Kong companies from the financial sector, infrastructure, real estate and the professional services sector to the roundtable to meet with senior government officials from Kazakhstan,” Raymond Yip, assistant executive director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, commented. “Hong Kong companies are experienced in international mega events such as Shanghai EXPO2010, and they could give their best to help to build a successful EXPO in Astana.”
He added, “Central Asia has significant development and business potential. If you really want to turn a new business page in that region, definitely, Kazakhstan would be the right door to knock on first.”
