HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) – Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKEX) plans to determine a consultant workplace in New York to market its choices in the USA amid rising doubts over the previous British colony’s standing as a monetary hub.
The brand new workplace will comprise of solely about 5 employees, sources accustomed to the plans mentioned, asking to not be recognized discussing non-public info. The trade will want regulatory licenses and plans to open the workplace as early as subsequent yr, the individuals mentioned.
Hong Kong’s standing as a world monetary centre has come underneath rising doubts after China tightened its political grip on the town and as strict quarantine measures prohibit journey. On the identical time, the bourse has benefited from US regulators pushing to delist Chinese language companies on account of an absence of entry to firm accounts and rising geopolitical pressure. Officers in Beijing are additionally cracking down on abroad listings.
The opening comes after Mr Nicholas Aguzin, a former JPMorgan Chase & Co banker, took over as chief govt this yr. He was given the remit of each tightening controls at dwelling and reviving the bourse’s bid to develop internationally two years after the failed acquisition of the London Inventory Change. The trade can be increasing its ties to the Chinese language mainland, most lately launching futures on Chinese language shares traded in Shanghai.
The New York workplace would mark its first presence within the US. The trade additionally has workplaces in Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and London, and owns the London Steel Change.
A spokesman for the bourse declined to remark.
The Beijing-controlled Hong Kong authorities owns about 6 per cent of HKEX, appoints the chairman and half of the board. The “uncommon” construction was cited in a letter from the LSE in rejecting HKEX’s shock US$36.6 billion (S$50.2 billion) bid in 2019.
HKEX officers are assured that the modest workplace opening is not going to be met with any political opposition, the individuals mentioned.
The trade has had plans to open new advertising and marketing and consumer protection hubs in North America and Europe to develop its worldwide footprint and buyer engagement, enhance consumer protection and promote the Hong Kong markets.
