Malaysia and Hong Kong signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 23, 2026, to simplify dual IPO listings and expand cross-border investment products between the two markets [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Under the new framework, effective September 2026, companies seeking simultaneous primary and secondary listings in both Malaysia and Hong Kong can submit a single set of documents, including the prospectus, for approval in both jurisdictions [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The agreement broadens the existing mutual recognition framework to cover exchange-traded funds (ETFs) including futures-based, leveraged, inverse, and commodity ETFs, as well as real estate investment trusts (REITs) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The Hong Kong Exchange added Bursa Malaysia to its list of recognized stock exchanges, enabling cross-border secondary listings between the two markets [1, 2, 4, 5]. The Hong Kong Exchange hosts over 2,900 listed companies, ETFs, and REITs, while Bursa Malaysia has more than 1,130 such offerings [1, 2, 3].
Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi, chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia, said the MoU "establishes a practical framework to facilitate greater cross-border investment, broaden access to our respective capital markets and enhance investment opportunities for issuers and investors in both jurisdictions" [5]. He added that market players are encouraged to use the arrangement to bring more regionally focused offerings including ETFs [3].
Kelvin Wong, chairman of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, said, "Our markets are well-placed to complement each other as vital financial gateways connecting global capital respectively with the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia" [1].
Separately, Malaysia’s Audit Oversight Board and Hong Kong's Accounting and Financial Reporting Council signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation on audit oversight, financial reporting compliance, and cross-border regulatory information sharing [1, 2, 4, 5].
The simplified framework for dual listings allowing submission of a single set of documents will come into effect in September 2026, enabling faster and more efficient cross-border capital market access [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
