The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) signed an agreement on Wednesday to deepen their partnership in further developing the city's capital markets financial infrastructure and advancing the long-term development of the SAR's fixed income and currencies ecosystem.

Under the agreement, HKEX will spend no more than HK$455 million to become a strategic shareholder of CMU OmniClear Holdings, a new company set up by HKMA in October 2025 to carry out the operations and business development activities of Hong Kong's central securities depository infrastructure, the Central Moneymarkets Unit system, on behalf of the HKMA.

Upon completion of the deal, the HKMA and the HKEX will hold 80 percent and 20 percent of CMU OmniClear Holdings, respectively.

Speaking at a signing ceremony, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the partnership was a key step in the city's efforts to enhance interconnection of financial infrastructure.

"In the future, it will develop into a diversified asset settlement platform," he said.

The HKMA said the new partnership with HKEX will harness their combined resources, technology, talent, and market expertise to facilitate the development of Hong Kong's post-trade securities infrastructure into a major central securities depository in the region.

The Chief Executive of the HKMA and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMU OmniClear Holdings, Eddie Yue, said the collaboration marked a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong's financial infrastructure.

"This partnership establishes a strong foundation for transforming CMU into a multi-asset class platform that provides investors with one-stop access to equity and debt securities while facilitating efficient two-way investment flows between the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and international markets," he said.

The Chief Executive Officer at the HKEX, Bonnie Chan, said the investment reflected its commitment to building a diversified and vibrant multi-asset class product network, supporting the long-term resilience of Hong Kong's fixed income and currencies (FIC) ecosystem.

"As global investors seek more opportunities centred around our region, we look forward to working with regulators and market participants to further enhance Hong Kong's status as a global bond fundraising, risk management and offshore RMB business centre, unleashing Hong Kong's potential as a global FIC hub."

The HKEX said the investment will be funded by internal resources and will not affect its existing dividend payout policy.