HONG KONG: Hong Kong must pursue higher-quality financial growth by expanding wealth management, commodity trading and new-economy listings, the Financial Services Development Council said on Wednesday.
The advisory body said the city should use its policy stability and market access to attract international capital seeking diversification amid increasing global economic fragmentation.
FSDC Chairman Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng said Hong Kong had recorded broad-based financial-sector growth but must now strengthen its long-term competitive advantages.
Hong Kong ranked second globally for equity fundraising during the first half of 2026, according to figures cited by the council. The FSDC said the city should focus on the quality and diversity of companies and investors rather than listing volume alone.
The council expects extraction and natural-resource companies from ASEAN and Central Asia to consider Hong Kong as an alternative to traditional markets such as London and Toronto.
Hong Kong also started trial operations of a central gold clearing and settlement system in early July. The FSDC said the platform could support a wider commodity-trading ecosystem and strengthen the city’s role as a bullion storage and hedging centre.
FSDC board member Amy Lo said demand from central banks and family offices was supporting greater allocations to gold.
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The council also highlighted an estimated USD 11 trillion in intergenerational wealth transfers across Asia. It called for higher investment quotas and a broader range of products under the Wealth Management Connect programme.
The FSDC plans to publish a report on patient capital, financial infrastructure and market connectivity in August 2026. A council delegation is also scheduled to visit Central Asian markets during the month.
