政府加快开放期货业
: Q; Z3 ]" o/ |$ M' a 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.
* R8 N4 S$ ]' _+ m4 o' G1 }7 ] The quick pace, which became apparent late last year, is expected to stimulate the country's still-struggling futures industry, analysts and watchers say.) P, D2 \( J. b3 U9 t! K
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.4 m4 d* ?. y: v( j7 Z9 S& M8 @
"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.5 @5 m# \- G/ q+ l1 b. 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.
8 j, F3 ]* _; w6 `4 [# O! v 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.: o5 |* M4 }0 q4 L
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.
& j! o. S6 R$ z/ C4 c5 j! N, w While domestic futures players are entering overseas turfs, foreign investors are moving in.1 m: X. e4 `: O, V
China published new rules last August that allow foreign brokers registered in Hong Kong or Macao to form ventures with Chinese partners. |