The Board of Directors of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) has approved in principle today (Friday) a plan to retain the Trading Hall of the Stock Exchange and make it a multi-purpose facility. Implementation of the plan is subject to successful renewal of the lease, which will expire in October of next year.
Under the plan, HKEx will renovate the Trading Hall to create space for new facilities. These will include areas for listing ceremonies, visitor gallery, public exhibitions and broadcasting booths for the news media. In addition, there will be multi-function rooms and facilities for annual general meetings, investor education and market events.
HKEx proposes charging Exchange Participants for occupying and using the upgraded trading booths on a user-pays basis and plans to consult the market on the proposal.
Background information
HKEx's lease covers the Trading Hall (26,000 sq ft) and the surrounding area (17,000 sq ft), which includes offices, a data centre and the Viewing Gallery.
There are currently 906 booths in the Trading Hall, 716 have been assigned to Exchange Participants and between 250 and 300 are occupied regularly.