The Hong Kong Futures Exchange Limited (HKFE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx), has been granted exempt futures market status in Australia. As a result, the HKFE will be able to extend its Remote Trading Access (RTA) programme now available in the United Kingdom and the United States to Australia, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

The RTA programme allows Futures Exchange Participants who are also HKFE Clearing Corporation Limited (HKCC) Participants to offer their qualified clients direct access to HKATS, the Hong Kong Automated Trading System for futures and options, for the purpose of trading on the HKFE. The HKCC is a wholly-owned member of the HKEx Group.

The RTA programme widens the distribution of HKFE products, and hence the market has access to a greater pool of liquidity. This should in turn be beneficial for all market participants. Under the programme, qualified market participants can connect to HKATS through international networks operated by GL Trade and Radianz.

The RTA programme is already available to US and UK market participants. HKEx is continuing its efforts to extend it to other overseas markets. In addition, HKEx is exploring the possibility of introducing an RTA programme for the Stock Exchange.

"By offering remote trading access we are able to broaden our product distribution channels to further meet international demand for our products," said HKEx Deputy Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Fok.