Asean firms pursuing Hong Kong IPOs

A number of enterprises from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are applying for a listing in Hong Kong as the city races to boost its global competitiveness in terms of initial public offerings, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po revealed.

The companies that have expressed interest cover a wide range of areas, such as biotechnology, integrated logistics and mining, Chan said.

Hong Kong’s bourse operator will step up its promotion in Asean and the Middle East and actively explore collaboration with countries in those regions, including the listing of exchange-traded funds, to enrich the investment product choices in mutual markets and promote two-way capital flows, according to the financial chief.

To facilitate more private equity funds to list in the city, the Securities and Futures Commission has clarified the relevant regulatory requirements to encourage sizable alternative asset funds with regular income streams to raise funds.

STAFF REPORTER