Hong Kong aims to become a globally competitive hub for exchange-traded funds, with the government pledging closer collaboration with industry players.
Joseph Chan, Hong Kong’s under-secretary for financial services and the treasury bureau, said the government’s goal is to introduce more innovative products and further reinforce the city’s position as a leading ETF hub in Asia.
“The Hong Kong government and the regulators will continue to work closely with market participants and other stakeholders to expand the ETF ecosystem, with a view of further reinforcing our position as a leading and all-rounded ETF trading hub,” Chan said in his keynote speech at Asia Asset Management’s ETF Awards 2026 dinner in Hong Kong on April 28.
“Over the years, we have broadened the range of ETF choices and deepened market liquidity,” he said, adding that “I would say that we are just at the very beginning of a growth journey in terms of ETF development”.
“Looking ahead, I do foresee that a wider range of products, including those designed to manage volatility, will be attracted to this market.”
He highlighted several key initiatives that have been implemented over the years, including waiver of stamp duty for ETF trading, and the inclusion of ETFs into the Stock Connect scheme that allows cross-border trading of securities between Hong Kong and China.
More than 100 industry professionals representing leading asset management firms, stock exchanges, index providers and service partners across Asia Pacific gathered to celebrate their achievements at the ETF Awards, which was revived after several years.
Winners spanned a wide range of categories, including ETF Manager of the Year, Most Innovative ETF, and ETF Launch of the Year.
China Asset Management Co Ltd, Invesco Ltd and State Street Corp from the US, Korea Investment Management Co Ltd, Lion Global Investors from Singapore, Ping An of China Asset Management, and Taiwan’s Yuanta Securities Investment Trust were among the firms recognised with multiple awards.
