政府加快开放期货业
! z7 @' `6 {8 W' Y7 h8 E Although the futures industry is the only financial sector that has no set timetable for opening-up under China's WTO commitment, there are signs that the government is already moving fast on this front.; p" O! `+ e0 s
The quick pace, which became apparent late last year, is expected to stimulate the country's still-struggling futures industry, analysts and watchers say./ g& P7 l) M) i9 _2 N4 m* X: a; F
Under Supplement II of CEPA (Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Agreement), a pact signed in 2004 to boost the economic co-operation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, qualified domestic futures brokerage will be allowed to set up their subsidiaries in Hong Kong beginning from this year.: w O t6 [$ U
"Domestic futures industry's enthusiasm for branching out in Hong Kong is obviously strong," said Chen Xiaodi, a researcher with China International Futures Co Ltd, China's futures house bellwether. U0 @! d. y7 G0 v6 Z' j
"It could broaden their investment channels as they could engage in business that is currently unavailable in domestic market such as trading of financial derivatives," Chen said.
V9 q) _5 `: q1 D' c, G M The foray into Hong Kong, analysts say, would also provide an investment conduit for domestic investors and a platform for domestic enterprises that have business needs, such as resource-extensive sectors.7 e! Z1 T5 i; p/ \; d
Currently, only 31 domestic enterprises are authorized to trade futures overseas for arbitrage, but many more are said to be interested in getting a licence. Analysts say this potential customer pool may become the primary target for domestic futures firms after they set up their subsidiaries in Hong Kong.% K; Y4 u# n/ N; W r' e/ s) e
While domestic futures players are entering overseas turfs, foreign investors are moving in.
& {( R' t- F$ v4 }- G; Q" q! B China published new rules last August that allow foreign brokers registered in Hong Kong or Macao to form ventures with Chinese partners. |