Hang Seng Indexes Company, the entity responsible for compiling the Hang Seng Index and a leading provider of stock market benchmarks in China, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). This agreement aims to deepen financial connectivity between Hong Kong and the Middle East while identifying and developing new business opportunities in both regions.
CEO Anita Mo expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting the potential to leverage each party’s unique strategic positioning. “We aim to unlock emerging opportunities in both markets by capitalising on each other’s strategic role,” she said. The partnership is also seen as a move to reinforce Hong Kong’s global standing, particularly as a bridge between mainland China and international markets.
This latest agreement reflects the company’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the Middle East. In October, Hang Seng Indexes Company signed a similar pact with the Saudi Exchange, focusing on joint product development and data integration. That initiative resulted in the launch of the first index fund specifically designed to give Middle Eastern investors access to Hong Kong-listed stocks.
The company revealed that by the end of March, approximately US$88.2 billion in passive investment funds were tracking its various indices. This underscores the significant global influence and adoption of the Hang Seng Indexes in financial markets. The firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hang Seng Bank and has been actively promoting cross-border financial collaboration through such international alliances.
The timing of the agreement aligns with a broader diplomatic and commercial push by Hong Kong to diversify its economic partnerships. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is currently leading a business delegation to Qatar and Kuwait, marking his second official visit to the Middle East. This follows a 2023 mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates aimed at boosting trade and fostering stronger ties in the financial and technology sectors. These diplomatic efforts come at a time when Hong Kong is seeking to strengthen its global networks amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly with the United States.
Overall, the partnership between Hang Seng Indexes Company and the QFC represents a step forward in fostering greater international financial integration and investment collaboration, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a vital hub for global capital flows.
READ MORE: