Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who’s leading the city’s largest-ever trade delegation to Central Asia, said on Monday the visit has drawn high-level attention from both sides, telling Hong Kong entrepreneurs to turn the gathering into opportunities and work together for greater results.

He spoke at a media briefing in Astana – the capital of Kazakhstan – where he arrived on Sunday on the delegation’s first stop to deepen trade ties and explore business opportunities.

Lee said the authorities in Hong Kong and Kazakhstan attach great importance to the visit and expect fruitful outcomes.

He described the week-long Central Asia trip, which will also take the delegation to Uzbekistan, as a rare opportunity and a “destiny” not only for the participating entrepreneurs, but also for the authorities and residents of both sides.

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Lee urged members of his delegation, comprising 40 Hong Kong business and professional leaders, as well as 30 representatives of Chinese mainland enterprises, to turn the visit into opportunities.

Stressing teamwork, he said Hong Kong and mainland entrepreneurs must unite and create a “1+1 greater than 2” synergy to deliver the results.

Lee was welcomed at the airport in Astana by Assan Darbayev – Kazakhstan’s vice-minister of national economy – and Cheng Kefan, minister counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kazakhstan.

Frederick Ma Si‑hang, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and a veteran business leader in the delegation, said after a closed‑door forum on Monday morning, Kazakhstan plans to hold events in Hong Kong in mid‑June, including a seminar, to showcase its market and business environment.

After Kazakhstan, the delegation will proceed to Uzbekistan on Wednesday to forge official ties and broaden business links.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com