Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing has been in active talks with Central Asian companies, bourse CEO Bonnie Chan Yi-ting said on Wednesday, as many businesses in the region are seeking access to a higher-tier fundraising platform to fuel their expansion beyond home markets.

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of a June trip to the region, Chan described many Central Asian countries as being in a “rapid growth phase” — defying trends seen in many other places.

Against this backdrop, dual listings are expected to become an “inevitable trend” for a broad spectrum of Central Asian companies, especially those in infrastructure, mining, and emerging or new-economy industries, Chan said. She added that she considers this a trend capable of channeling more listings to Hong Kong.

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Chan said some Asia-Pacific and Central Asian-listed firms, having already raised first-round capital over the past two to three years, are now looking for a second platform to tap a broader investor base.

Globally, Hong Kong has long cast itself as a mature and credible choice for such listings, she added.

Hong Kong’s stock market distinguishes itself with deep capital pools, robust liquidity and a regulatory framework fully equipped to support major fundraising activities, Chan said.

The momentum is evident: HKEX’s average daily turnover was about HK$250 billion ($32 billion) in 2025. For the first four months of 2026, the figure has already reached about HK$271 billion, an 8 percent jump from the same period in 2025.

Additionally, the city’s financial sector has developed an inclusive approach to legal and regulatory coordination, thanks to its long track record of engaging with diverse legal systems worldwide, Chan said.

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Referring to a reporter’s description of the strategy as a move “from one to many”, Chan said that HKEX’s ongoing engagement with Central Asian stakeholders is about connecting with a larger number of interested companies there and ensuring they fully grasp the benefits a secondary listing in Hong Kong can offer.

Notably, on Aug 28, tungsten miner Jiaxin International Resources Investment — a Chinese operator of Kazakhstan’s Bakuta mine — achieved a global first by dual-listing on HKEX and the Astana International Exchange in Kazakhstan.

On its HKEX debut, the company’s shares spiked 178 percent above their initial public offering price at the peak, closing the day at HK$25.54.

Contact the writers at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com