Exclusive | Have more direct Hong Kong-Turkey flights to meet demand instead of 1 a day, envoy urges – Technologist

“In order to make Hong Kong more global, in order to make Hong Kong more connected, and to consolidate its superconnector role, we are ready to increase our engagement with Hong Kong in terms of direct flights,” Evcin added.

“As long as Hong Kong increases its global connectivity, I believe it will continue to be a top notch place to attract all people.”

Hong Kong has fought hard to cement its aviation hub status, a vision laid down in Beijing’s latest five-year national plan and also set out in the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has called several times for the city’s airlines to help bolster Hong Kong’s role in the “Air Silk Road,” the aviation connectivity part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, a China-centred trade network covering more than 100 countries.

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has offered a subsidy carrot of up to HK$7 million (US$897,000) a year to airlines that launch a new daily route as part of a drive to fill up extra capacity created by a third runway system, scheduled to open later this year.

But there are two to three inbound flights and three to four outbound flights a day between Turkey and Hong Kong’s regional rival Singapore, operated by both country’s flag carriers.

Turkish Airlines also opened a new route to Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year, which operates three times a week and uses Singapore for refuelling.

Evcin said that he has had “close, cooperative and very fruitful” dialogue with the Transports and Logistics Bureau and Transport Secretary Lam Sai-hung.

He added that he hoped to organise a new round of consultations between the civil aviation authorities of the city and Turkey.

Evcin said there was “huge demand” for Turkish Airlines in Hong Kong and that there was room to add an additional two flights from city carriers.

He added increased flight capacity to Turkey would also give the city better access to more than 200 cities across Europe, Africa and America.

Evcin said increased flights between the two jurisdictions, regardless of carrier, would be a “win-win situation” and would help to expand “every aspect” of bilateral relations.

“We should work to expedite the process to get positive results,” he added.

Hong Kong’s direct investment in Turkey amounted to about US$40 million by 2022, the country’s 17th biggest investor from Asia, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey figures publicised by the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council showed.

Turkey was also Hong Kong’s 29th largest trading partner in 2023 and accounted for 0.2 per cent of the city’s total trade, the council said.

Evcin added that Turkey had a “boutique” presence in Hong Kong, with only about 700 nationals living in the city.

He added the number of Turkish firms with offices in the city was in the “double digits”.

“There is huge potential, but unfortunately the figures we have right now cannot perfectly reflect that potential,” Evcin said.

Hong Kong and Turkey last October signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in a bid to boost two-way investment.

The city’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said such agreements allowed investors from both places to “enjoy corresponding protection of investments in the host economies”, which boosted confidence.

Jewellery makes up the bulk of Hong Kong’s imports from Turkey, but Evcin said he envisaged opportunities to increase the country’s exports of agricultural products, such as organic fruit and vegetables, to the city.

Evcin said he was also interested in expanded cooperation in fields such as fintech and biomedicine, sectors identified by the Hong Kong government as crucial to the diversification of the city’s economy.

He added that Turkey had “deep-rooted” experience in the tourism industry, which could be used to foster collaboration and talent exchanges in the sector.

Evcin appealed to Hong Kong authorities to open an Economic Trade Office in Istanbul to boost ties and highlighted that both jurisdictions had a “superconnector role” in their regions.

Evcin said he was working on arrangements for an official visit between the two jurisdictions. He said he hoped it could happen some time in 2025, although nothing had been finalised.

He added a double-taxation agreement, in negotiations since 2016, was “ready to sign” and that both sides awaited a suitable occasion to complete it.

“So I believe the period, beginning with 2025, will be a time when we have good news about investments on both sides,” Evcin said.

Lighter side

Do you have a favourite Hong Kong dish?

Chee Cheong Fun – it’s a glutinous rice roll. They sometimes make it pan-fried with a thick soy sauce. It’s my favourite. It is richness in simplicity. It’s something very simple, but it has a very rich taste.

What is your preferred way to get around the city?

I don’t have a driver. It is my great chance because I am always travelling in Hong Kong by MTR, so I am always a part of daily life.

I’m always within the society, within the community and I’m always enriching myself with the great dynamism and daily life energy.

What do you think people should do when they visit Hong Kong?

I always encourage people to be a “flâneur”. I mean a person just strolling around the streets without having an aim.

It is important to internalise the dynamism of Hong Kong by walking throughout the city.

They should see every part of Hong Kong. And also of course, Victoria Harbour is unique to me, but it gives me the feeling of Istanbul.