Hang Seng Indexes to boost market connectivity, deepen ties with Qatar Financial Centre

Hang Seng Indexes Company, the compiler of the Hang Seng Index and a provider of stock benchmarks in China, signed an agreement with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) to strengthen financial connectivity and explore business opportunities in both markets.

“We aim to unlock emerging opportunities in both markets” by capitalising on each other’s strategic role, CEO Anita Mo said in a statement on Tuesday. “This collaboration further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a superconnector between mainland China and the rest of the world.”

The move added to the firm’s recent outreach in the Middle East, including a pact with the Saudi Exchange in October to collaborate on product development and index data integration. That led to the creation in October of the first index fund that allows Middle Eastern investors to trade Hong Kong stocks.

About US$88.2 billion of passive funds tracked Hang Seng’s family of indices at the end of March, the company said. Hang Seng Indexes Company is wholly-owned by Hang Seng Bank.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is leading a business delegation to Qatar and Kuwait this week – his second to the Middle East amid frayed ties with the US – following a mission to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in 2023 to increase trade and strengthen ties in finance and technology.