Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) has decided to suspend the Professional Board project aimed at the listing of overseas companies.

The decision was based on research into overseas market experience and discussions with market practitioners.  On the whole, overseas exchange experience does not provide compelling examples of successful equity market segments that exclude retail investors.  In addition, some market practitioners expressed concerns about the practicality of the proposed exclusion of retail investors and others felt that the priority should be given to further enhancement of the Main Board rather than the launch of another new board.

Early last year, HKEx started to examine the feasibility and desirability of establishing a Professional Board to support its strategic objective of listing more overseas companies.  After having considered a progress report on the project from HKEx executives, the Listing Committee decided on 9 February this year to suspend the Professional Board project.