The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is set to encourage more mainland banks to set up regional headquarters in the city, while the local bourse operator plans to enhance the listing regime, as the government aims to fortify Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre, according to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
In his latest policy address on Wednesday, Lee said authorities would introduce more tax incentives to strengthen the family office and wealth management sectors, alongside measures to support gold and yuan trading in the city.
Lee said banks establishing regional headquarters in Hong Kong could leverage their presence in the city to expand into markets like Southeast Asia and the Middle East, providing comprehensive cross-border financial solutions.
“We will actively invite the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to set up an office in Hong Kong,” Lee said. Established a decade ago, Beijing-headquartered AIIB serves as China’s alternative to the World Bank.
Lee also said that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) would implement reforms to attract new listings from Southeast Asia and mainland China, a move welcomed by chairman Carlson Tong Ka-shing.
“The many initiatives unveiled today include measures in primary and secondary markets, as well as across various asset classes, which will drive the sustainable development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre and further elevate the breadth of the city’s financial ecosystem,” Tong said.
