Speech by DSJ at online forum on “Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan” (English just) (with image)
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Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at an online forum on “Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan” arranged by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7):
Dr Phyllis Kwong (President of the Asia Pacific Law Association), Consul General Mr Dosmanbetov (Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong, Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov), 劉劍青副秘書長 (Deputy Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association, Ms Liu Jianqing), identified speakers, visitors, women and gentlemen,
Great afternoon. It is a fantastic satisfaction to sign up with today’s online forum arranged by the Asia Pacific Law Association.
In June, I had the opportunity of signing up with an extremely rewarding delegation led by the Chief Executive to Kazakhstan in my capability as the Deputy Secretary for Justice along with the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global.
That go to strengthened a clear message: Hong Kong is a natural and important partner not just for Kazakhstan’s advancement, however likewise for Chinese Mainland business looking for to broaden into Kazakhstan and beyond. I wish to share a few of my observations.
Opportunities in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, the biggest nation in Central Asia, sits at the tactical crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its economy momentum is amazing – with development of 6.5 percent in 2025 and predicted to hold stable at 4.8 percent in 2026. As an international heavyweight in energy fuels and vital minerals, and an essential node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan is not simply opening its markets, however going through extensive financial improvement.
Its young and tech-savvy population is driving extraordinary need for digital services, contemporary facilities, and advanced monetary items. This produces a fertile ground for collaboration.
I am specific that the Consul General will share more on Kazakhstan’s newest advancement in a minute.
Hong Kong’s Unique “Hub-to-Hub” Function
Let me now concentrate on how Hong Kong acts as the perfect “hub” to get in touch with Kazakhstan’s growing “hub” – a “hub-to-hub” partnership as mentioned by the Chief Executive in our current go to.
Under the “one country, two systems” concept, Hong Kong is more than an entrance. We are the active driver.
Hong Kong as the Premier Financial Hub
Let’s consider our monetary market. In the very first quarter of 2026, our stock exchange ranked very first worldwide in IPO (going public) funds raised. This liquidity is matched by a deep and robust bond market, evidenced by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan’s issuance of Renminbi “dim sum” bonds in Hong Kong.
We function as a deal-making bridge linking Kazakh capital with high-growth Mainland sectors. This is necessary for pre-IPO funding through which Chinese services’ capital base would be diversified while enhancing Kazakh monetary market’s financial investment portfolio.
On capital market listings, we help with double gain access to. In 2015, we invited the very first synchronised double listing on the Hong Kong and Astana exchanges of a Mainland mining company. By using financier bases all at once, the business had the ability to raise more funds than it might have through a single listing.
Kazakhstan’s nationwide train business wholly-owned by its sovereign wealth fund has actually just recently sent its listing application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This showcases how Hong Kong likewise functions as the premier entrance for Kazakh state-owned business looking for worldwide growth and financing.
The Common Law Advantage
Behind every effective deal lies a strong legal structure. The Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan has actually developed an unique jurisdiction operating under typical law concepts. This shared legal grounding in typical law offers Hong Kong an unique edge in protecting cross-border deals with predictability.
On financial investment facilities. Complex and multi-jurisdictional Belt and Road jobs need advanced legal engineering with proficiency in cross-border regulative landscape. Hong Kong legal representatives, with abundant experience and a large network, browse the crossway of typical law, worldwide guidelines, and Chinese business governance to guarantee the jobs’ sustainability.
Second, on conflict resolution. Hong Kong provides a regulative structure that provides the certainty and efficiency for cross-border disagreement resolution. We have actually developed an extensive shared legal help network with the Chinese Mainland, allowing distinct benefits no other jurisdiction might match, consisting of in shared enforcement of civil and business judgments and interim procedures for arbitral procedures.
Our Judiciary is establishing the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), an expert department of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value worldwide and cross-border business conflicts. The HKICC, together with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, will supply companies with a thorough variety of conflict resolution alternatives.
Our Initiatives
Now that you have a clearer image of how Hong Kong’s world-leading monetary market with quality expert services might help services to take Kazakh chances. The next concern is: how to discover your appropriate consultants?
To enhance the connection in between business and Hong Kong’s expert services, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has actually introduced a number of brand-new efforts.
We have actually been leading objective journeys to the Chinese Mainland and beyond, straight connecting Hong Kong’s legal and other specialists with business looking for to go international. These are not simply networking occasions however matchmaking platforms for concrete service requirements.
This April, the DoJ released the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting “Go Global”detailing their practice locations, such as capital markets, tax, and so on, and the markets they have actually helped.
We have actually likewise assembled 2 collections of success stories, showcasing the performance history of Hong Kong’s legal, accounting, monetary and organization consultancy services.
With these tools, companies might value in useful terms the worth our expert services might produce, backing their complete service cycle.
Ladies and gentlemen, the unique benefits of Hong Kong’s monetary and legal facilities place us to play a critical function in supporting closer partnership with Kazakhstan. I anticipate interacting with you to develop much better collaborations amongst Chinese Mainland business, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. I want today’s occasion a substantial success. Thank you quite.