NZX Limited (NZX) and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced that they have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further promote confidence and co-operation in Asia-Pacific markets.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the exchanges will seek to promote market development by considering opportunities in a range of areas, including foreign investment, derivatives, depository receipts, listed debt, dual listings and exchange traded funds.
NZX and HKEX will cooperate on green finance and sustainability initiatives, share relevant information as required, and provide secondment opportunities for staff to enhance the understanding of activities in each other’s market.
NZX Chairman James Miller said:
This supports the New Zealand exchange’s commitment to increase its international presence as outlined in NZX’s recently released strategy. It highlights NZX’s desire to expand the reach and connection of the New Zealand market.
HKEX Chairman C K Chow added:
The MOU marks the start of an important partnership that will broaden HKEX’s reach to potential clients in the Asia-Pacific region. This builds on HKEX’s mission to deepen our leadership role in connecting Chinese and international investors, issuers and products.
NZX operates New Zealand securities, risk and commodity markets. It provides high quality market information, such as real-time market data and news, and also offers wealth management services. Based in Wellington, NZX also has offices across New Zealand.
HKEX is one of the world’s leading financial market operators, providing a wide range of products and services, as well as a unique and effective platform for access between its international market and Mainland Chinese markets. Based in Hong Kong, with a presence in London, Mainland China and Singapore, it provides world-class facilities for trading and clearing securities and derivatives in equities, commodities, fixed income and currency.
NZX and HKEX will continue to work together now that the memorandum is in place to consider and implement further details about the opportunities being explored.
New Zealand and Hong Kong have a history of co-operation and partnership due to mutual trade interests. New Zealand was the first foreign country to secure a free trade agreement with Hong Kong. NZX and HKEX are pleased to be able to play a role in further strengthening this economic partnership though the memorandum.