Hong Kong’s bourse operator sees 190 companies in the queue for a listing in the city, said Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (0388) chairman Carlson Tong Ka-shing.
Speaking at the bourse's 25th anniversary ceremony, Tong said Hong Kong leads the world in initial public offering fundraising so far this year and pledged to press ahead with market reforms and attract more firms to list in the second half.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said HKEX could become a preferred listing venue for firms from Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and other regions, especially those facing difficulties in the United States or European markets amid rising geopolitical tensions.
HKEX chief executive Bonnie Chan Yi-ting said topping global IPO rankings is not the exchange’s primary goal. Instead, HKEX aims to refine its listing rules and support companies’ financing needs and the broader real economy.
She added that southbound trading now accounts for more than 20 percent of daily turnover in Hong Kong stocks, a share that continues to grow.
STAFF REPORTER
