SFST chairs briefing session on gold market development to outline future strategies and directions (with photos)
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Organised by the FSTB, the briefing session aimed to introduce to the industry the Government's long-term strategy and overall direction for building an international gold trading market. This encompasses multiple areas, including expanding storage capacity, enhancing gold supply, establishing infrastructure, diversifying investment vehicles and developing a local gold trading ecosystem. Attendees included representatives from exchanges, banks, asset management companies, gold mining, trading firms and refineries, warehouse operators as well as logistics providers.
Mr Hui said, "Stemming from the visionary idea of developing an international gold trading centre put forward by the Chief Executive in his 2024 Policy Address, I am pleased to see that Hong Kong's gold market has begun to take shape, with a complete industry chain preliminarily established over the past year or so under the concerted efforts of the Government, regulators and the industry. The industry's response has been positive, and many constructive suggestions have been received. Leveraging Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre and its unique advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world, we will continue working closely with the industry, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for gold trading, storage, clearing and risk management."
He highlighted the meaningful strides already realised through Government's initiatives. In terms of storage facilities, the Airport Authority Hong Kong has completed the first-phase expansion of the precious metals depository at the Hong Kong International Airport, increasing capacity to 200 tonnes, and is pressing ahead with plans to further expand it to 1 000 tonnes. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Gold Exchange has launched its first offshore vault in Hong Kong. In addition, the FSTB and the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly build a deeply integrated regional gold ecosystem, laying a foundation for further co-operation in processing trade between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. On gold trading and clearing, the central clearing system for gold in Hong Kong, governed by a wholly government-owned company, is scheduled to commence trial operation in 2026.
To support the setting up of a trade organisation for the gold industry, the Government will set up a preparatory taskforce to engage a wide range of local and international stakeholders, with a view to promoting industry collaboration and facilitating the formation of a self-governing industry body. The preparatory taskforce will also hold in-depth discussions on details such as the structure, membership and financial arrangements of the future industry organisation.
Mr Hui added, "Through the upcoming preparatory taskforce, we look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with the industry. The future industry organisation will help enhance communication with the Government and regulators, and play an instrumental role in business development, global promotion, international co-operation and talent nurturing, thereby contributing to the long-term development of Hong Kong's gold market."
Ends/Monday, December 22, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:38
Issued at HKT 16:38
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