Editorial | HKEX London office must only be a start
- Welcome Hong Kong move made as battle among exchanges globally to attract and retain listings becomes cutthroat
It is far better to trade than to fight. Amid rising tensions between China and the West, it is surely a good thing that Hong Kong’s stock exchange is opening offices overseas.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has launched a new London office this month to attract British start-ups to raise capital in Hong Kong.
This will contribute to the London-Shanghai Connect scheme, an investment channel between the two financial hubs.
HKEX already has offices in New York and Singapore as it strives to attract global fundraising from the “traditional” financial centres of the world and diversify its roster of listed companies, most from the mainland.
A London office will also help HKEX reach start-ups in continental Europe. The exchange almost opened an office in the European Union but it ultimately decided on London, which is deemed more convenient in providing operational access to the London Metal Exchange, owned by HKEX since 2012.