The Hong Kong government Friday signed an Air Services Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Economic Development and Labor of Hong Kong Stephen Ip Friday signed the agreement on behalf of the Hong Kong government. While Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov represented the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the signing ceremony.

Kazakhstan, strategically located between Asia and Europe, is Hong Kong's first aviation partner in the Central Asia region.

"The Air Services Agreement signed today provides a legal framework for the establishment of air links between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. It will help to strengthen the cultural, trade and economic ties between our two governments and people," Ip said at the ceremony.

"To enhance Hong Kong's position as an international and regional aviation center, we will continue to expand our air services network in line with our progressive liberalization policy," Ip added.

The Air Services Agreement with Kazakhstan is Hong Kong's 58th Air Services Agreement with foreign aviation partners.