The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and Nasdaq Dubai today (10 September) jointly announced the establishment of a Strategic Working Group to strengthen ties between the financial markets of Hong Kong and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The Strategic Working Group brings together regulators and exchanges in Hong Kong and DIFC to explore opportunities and develop collaborative initiatives across areas that can contribute to the continued growth and attractiveness of both markets, including sustainable finance, Islamic finance, innovation, and broader capital markets development and markets connectivity.
The announcement was made during the HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference today in Hong Kong, which attracted over 350 participants joining in-person and online across both regions.
This conference marks the third edition of the flagship partnership initiative between the HKMA and the DFSA. It has also been the second year in which HKEX and Nasdaq Dubai are supporting the conference as strategic partners.
The establishment of the Strategic Working Group reflects progress of ongoing regulatory and market dialogues, providing a more formal framework to deepen cooperation, align priorities, and support practical outcomes.
The initiative also reflects a broader commitment to deepen institutional relationships between regulators and exchanges in both financial centres, and to further develop the economic corridor between the Middle East and Asia. Through ongoing engagement and structured collaboration, participating organisations will exchange insights on market developments, discuss emerging opportunities and challenges, and explore areas for future collaboration.
Mr Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the HKMA, said, “The Strategic Working Group marks another key step in deepening our institutional ties and market connectivity. By developing this collaboration mechanism, we are establishing a dedicated platform to better understand and align strategic priorities, as well as exploring new initiatives to facilitate smoother trade and investment between Asia and the Middle East.”
Mr Mark Steward, Chief Executive of the DFSA, said, “This initiative reflects the maturing of our shared commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the discovery of greater mutual benefits within the Dubai-Hong Kong corridor. Cross-market connectivity helps both markets and offers investors greater choices and rewards across both financial centres.”
Mr Bonnie Y Chan, Chief Executive Officer of HKEX, said, “Global capital flows are increasingly being shaped by the growing economic ties between Asia and the Middle East. As leading international financial centres at the heart of their respective regions, Hong Kong and Dubai have complementary strengths that can help facilitate the two-way flow of capital, ideas and opportunities between the two regions. HKEX’s growing commodities presence in Dubai, together with our engagement with exchanges across the UAE, reflects our long-term commitment to this dynamic corridor. The Strategic Working Group is an important next step in translating that commitment into action by deepening collaboration, advancing market connectivity and supporting innovation and sustainable growth.”
Mr Hamed Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, said, “This Strategic Working Group builds on the strong collaboration between Dubai and Hong Kong. Nasdaq Dubai’s position as a leading international hub for fixed income and Islamic finance listings provides a strong platform to connect issuers and investors across the Middle East and Asia, particularly in Sukuk and sustainable finance. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration and enhancing market connectivity between the two regions.”
(From left) Mr Ken Chiu, Head of Carbon and ESG Products, Sustainability of HKEX; Mr Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the HKMA; Mr Mark Steward, Chief Executive of DFSA; and Mr Eric Salomons, Executive Vice President, Head of Product Development of Nasdaq Dubai present the signed Terms of Reference of the Strategic Working Group during the HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference.
About HKMA
The HKMA is Hong Kong’s central banking institution. The HKMA’s main functions are: (i) maintaining currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate System; (ii) promoting the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system; (iii) helping to maintain Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, including the maintenance and development of Hong Kong's financial infrastructure; and (iv) managing the Exchange Fund.
About HKEX
HKEX is a publicly-traded company (HKEX Stock Code: 388) and one of the world’s leading global exchange groups, offering a range of equity, derivative, commodity, fixed income and other financial markets, products and services, including the London Metal Exchange. As a superconnector and gateway between East and West, HKEX facilitates the two-way flow of capital, ideas and dialogue between China and the rest of the world, through its pioneering Connect schemes, increasingly diversified product ecosystem and its deep, liquid and international markets. HKEX is a purpose-led organisation which, across its business and through the work of HKEX Foundation, seeks to connect, promote and progress its markets and the communities it supports for the prosperity of all.
About DFSA
The DFSA is the independent regulator of financial services conducted in, and from, DIFC, a purpose-built financial free zone in Dubai, UAE. The DFSA regulates and supervises financial services firms and markets in DIFC. These include asset managers, banks, custody and trust services, commodities futures traders, fund managers, insurers and reinsurers, traders of securities and fintech firms. The DFSA is also responsible for the registration and oversight of Registered Auditors and Audit Principals in DIFC, including their continuing compliance with registration criteria and conduct of audits of Public Listed Companies, Authorised Firms, Authorised Market Institutions and Domestic Funds. We supervise exchanges and trading platforms for both conduct and prudential purposes, overseeing an international securities exchange (Nasdaq Dubai) and an international commodities derivatives exchange (Gulf Mercantile Exchange). The DFSA is also responsible for supervising and enforcing anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism requirements applicable in DIFC. Please refer to the DFSA’s website for more information.
About Nasdaq Dubai
Nasdaq Dubai is the international financial exchange serving the region between Western Europe and East Asia. It welcomes regional as well as global issuers that seek regional and international investment. The exchange currently lists shares, derivatives, Sukuk (Islamic bonds), conventional bonds and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS). The majority shareholder of Nasdaq Dubai is Dubai Financial Market with a two-thirds stake. Borse Dubai owns one third of the shares. The regulator of Nasdaq Dubai is the DFSA.
About Hong Kong Green Week
The 2026 edition of Hong Kong Green Week, the city’s flagship sustainability event, will take place from 7 to 11 September. Themed “Future-proofing Sustainable Growth”, the week-long programme will feature a variety of events and networking opportunities, bringing together diverse and practical insights across the globe to inspire and drive collective actions towards Asia’s sustainable transformation. Visit www.hkgreenweek.hk for more details.
About HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference
The Conference is a flagship initiative jointly established by the HKMA and the DFSA to support and enable the continued development of climate finance across Asia and the Middle East. Themed “Driving Transition in a Changing World”, the third edition of the conference is also a main event of the Hong Kong Green Week 2026. Details of the conference can be found here.
