Applications have been made for the first Jersey companies to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ahead of a visit by Jersey Finance and representatives from its finance industry to China next week.
The applications come after approval was granted in October for Jersey companies to be listed on the exchange, and the opening, also in October, of an office in Hong Kong by Jersey Finance.
The office was set up to promote Jersey as an international finance centre in the Asia Pacific region.
Jersey Finance technical director Rob Kirkby said the ability by Jersey companies to list in Hong Kong was "a significant development, which we are now looking to build on".
“A number of applications for Jersey companies to be listed on the exchange are in the process of being made," he added.
The Jersey delegation is due to give presentations in Hong Kong and Shanghai during its visit, beginning on Monday.
It will focus on what makes Jersey companies suitable vehicles for listing purposes, recent revisions to Jersey Company Law and the benefits of Jersey for listing purposes over the Caribbean jurisdictions. In addition, the finer details of the listing process for Jersey companies will also be explained.
“With Hong Kong already well established globally as a major financial centre and China expected to shortly become the world’s most powerful economy, it is vital that we continue to talk to key advisers, professionals and regulators as Jersey seeks to grow business flows from the Asia Pacific region this year,” added Kirby.
