HKMA, HKEX, DFSA, and Nasdaq Dubai Form Strategic Group to Boost Hong Kong-Dubai Financial Ties

HKMA, HKEX, DFSA and Nasdaq Dubai establish Strategic Working Group to deepen co-operation between financial markets

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and Nasdaq Dubai today (September 10) 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 co-operation, 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.

The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, 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."

The Chief Executive of the DFSA, Mr Mark Steward,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."

The Chief Executive Officer of HKEX, Ms Bonnie Chan,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 (United Arab Emirates), 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."

The Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, MrHamed Ali,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."

About Hong Kong Green Week

The 2026 edition of Hong Kong Green Week, the city's flagship sustainability event, will take place from September 7 to 11. 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 acrossAsia and the Middle East. Themed "Driving Transition in a Changing World", the third edition of the conference is also a main event of theHong Kong Green Week 2026. Details of the conference can be foundhere.

HKMA, HKEX, DFSA and Nasdaq Dubai establish Strategic Working Group to deepen co-operation between financial markets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $3.9 million in "Swift Net" operation

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Swift Net" from August 17 to September 2 to combat counterfeit and infringing goods activities involving cross-boundary transshipments and local deliveries via express parcels. During the operation, Customs detected 32 related cases and seized about 14 600 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $3.9 million. One person was arrested.

Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Customs officers carried out strike-and-search operations at express courier companies and logistics companies across various districts and seized the suspected counterfeit goods, which included watches, mobile phone accessories, bags, clothing, cosmetics and footwear.

After follow-up investigations, Customs believed that some of the suspected counterfeit goods would have been sold locally while the rest would have been re-exported to overseas destinations. Customs officers also organised a controlled delivery operation in respect of a batch of seized items. On August 21, Customs officers arrested a 36-year-old male consignee at a suspected counterfeit warehouse in Hung Hom. Upon investigation, about 1 240 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including bags, belts, cosmetics and footwear, with an estimated value of about $446,000 were seized inside the warehouse.

Investigations of the above-mentioned case are ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or websites to avoid buying counterfeit goods. Practitioners in the logistics industry should also comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and check with trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime, and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat different types of counterfeit and infringing goods activities.

Under the TDO, any person who imports or exports or sells or possesses for sale any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods worth about $3.9 million in "Swift Net" operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases