More companies than ever before are speaking to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing HKEx about listing on the bourse, its chief executive said on Wednesday as he hailed plans for a new regime intended to make it easier for growing companies to conduct initial public offerings in the city.
HKEx chief Charles Li said companies were already inquiring about listing under the new regime, first proposed in June. It aims to launch a detailed consultation in the first quarter so the new rules can kick in from June this year. And HKEx is already looking to staff up, making an exceptional budget provision to add headcount in...