HK firms will welcome direct Almaty flights: lawmaker

Lawmaker Jonathan Lamport said on Thursday that he believes the planned resumption of direct flights between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan will greatly benefit SAR businesses hoping to tap into the emerging markets of Central Asia. Cathay Pacific earlier announced it will launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, from the first quarter of next year. In an interview with RTHK, Lamport said quicker journeys between the two places will make all the difference to businesses. "For business people, usually when we travel for business, it's not like for holidays and so we won't take a very long time; especially for people in Hong Kong, they like to take three-day, two-night trips, or even a day trip," he said. Lamport also called on SAR authorities to task an economic and trade office (ETO) with helping facilitate business with Central Asia. "An ETO can help build local connections. But I think currently as we also have an ETO in Dubai, maybe they can set up a subsidiary group there to help handle the issues in Central Asia," he said. Edited by Thomas McAlinden