Direct flights from Hong Kong, China to Almaty will be launched next year
¬ Baikytelik State Holding Company holds talks with representatives of Hong Kong's business community, signing multiple cooperation documents
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AKI News Agency — Cathay Pacific plans to launch a direct round-trip flight route between Hong Kong and Almaty in the first quarter of 2027.
Previously reported, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China on the 2nd. Chen Meibao, Director of Transport and Logistics at Cathay Pacific, attended the meeting.
According to the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, under the airline’s plan, three weekly flights will be operated by Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft. This new route will be the only direct flight link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.
The ministry stated that the launch of direct flights will further strengthen trade, economic, investment, and tourism ties among Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and the Asia-Pacific region, while expanding Kazakhstan’s international air network.
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AKI News Agency — During the visit of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China to Kazakhstan, Baikytelik State Holding Company held discussions with a delegation from Hong Kong’s business community in Astana, engaging in in-depth exchanges on topics including investment cooperation, joint project development, and financing in key sectors.
During the talks, Rustam Karagoyshin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baikytelik State Holding Company (Рустам Қарагойшин), presented an overview of the company’s operations and its role in national economic development.
He said that by the end of 2025, the total assets of Baikytelik State Holding Company reached $40 billion. In 2025, the company injected over $21 billion into Kazakhstan’s economy, supporting more than 100 large-scale projects and providing financial support to thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural producers.
The Hong Kong delegation included representatives from 70 leading companies and enterprises from 17 provinces in mainland China. The participants represented diverse sectors including finance, logistics, innovative technology, green energy, mining, biopharmaceuticals, and media.
In his speech, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region emphasized that investment cooperation could bring mutual benefits to both sides.
He said: “When I took office four years ago, I established Hong Kong’s first investment company. The company has achieved significant operational results, but our goal goes beyond generating additional returns—we aim to promote the growth of industries vital to Hong Kong’s long-term development through investment.”
Fred Lam, Chief Executive of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, highlighted Kazakhstan’s geographical and transportation advantages during the meeting.
He expressed hope for further strengthening collaboration with Kazakh partners. Kazakhstan, located at the heart of Eurasia, possesses unique advantages in connecting European and Asian markets, particularly with substantial potential in air freight.
In response, Rustam Karagoyshin noted that Baikytelik State Holding Company also places high importance on developments in logistics and aviation hub construction.
He said: “Currently, we hold a 15% stake in Almaty International Airport, which makes us particularly interested in the direction of logistics industry and aviation hub development.”
Following the talks, Baikytelik State Holding Company signed memoranda of understanding with Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and Invest Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of Baikytelik, also signed a memorandum of understanding with Standard Chartered Hong Kong.
Notably, this marks the first official visit by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Kazakhstan.
Data shows that trade volume between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong reached $178.8 million in 2025. Since 2005, cumulative investments from Hong Kong into Kazakhstan’s economy have amounted to $3.9 billion.
Both sides expressed their commitment to further deepen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, expanding mutually beneficial and win-win development space.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866901637919754/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.