Hong Kong Stock Exchange announces a strategic investment of 6.3 billion Hong Kong dollars in Trading Square for the development of the group's headquarters.

On April 24th, HKEX announced an agreement with The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link REIT) to purchase the first multi-story commercial building in Exchange Square as the group's headquarters, demonstrating the group's long-term commitment to supporting Hong Kong as an international leading financial center. HKEX will purchase the highest nine-story office building in Exchange Square from The Link REIT, as well as a portion of the area adjacent to the Hong Kong Financial Hall on the first and second floors of Exchange Square, with a total investment of HK$6.3 billion. In addition, HKEX will sign a new long-term lease with The Link REIT regarding several floors of Exchange Square's second building that HKEX already occupies. This mixed model of purchasing and leasing will help enhance HKEX's flexibility and resilience in responding to different real estate cycles. Having been rooted in Exchange Square for nearly forty years, this investment will help meet the group's long-term business development and operational needs, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and consolidate the international exchange's position. This investment is also part of the long-term strategic cooperation between HKEX and The Link REIT. According to the agreement, The Link REIT will invest an additional HK$400 million to optimize the surrounding facilities related to HKEX, including adding signage and design themes with the HKEX brand. HKEX Chairman Laura M Cha expressed her pleasure in making a strategic investment in Exchange Square, establishing the HKEX group headquarters in this iconic building for a long term, opening a new chapter in the group's development. Since the 1980s, Exchange Square has witnessed important reforms and changes in Hong Kong's capital market, and has seen HKEX evolve from a trading hall into a truly international financial market. This year marks the 25th anniversary of HKEX's listing, and HKEX will collaborate with The Link REIT to construct the HKEX headquarters, enhancing Exchange Square's status as a financial landmark. Exchange Square is a high-rise commercial project completed by The Link REIT in 1985, with the ground floor hall specifically used as the trading hall of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. After over 30 years of market changes, the trading hall was renovated into the Hong Kong Financial Hall in 2018, used for hosting iconic gong-striking ceremonies and various financial activities. In recent years, HKEX has been leasing office floors in Exchange Square. As part of the agreement, Exchange Square will undergo several optimization projects, including establishing an HKEX dedicated reception hall directly connected to the Hong Kong Financial Hall. These facilities aim to enhance the market opening experience, and through redesigning the Hong Kong Financial Museum and expanding the usage of the Hong Kong Financial Hall, more people can step into HKEX. This investment will help enhance HKEX's brand awareness, making its brand logo more visible and prominent on Hong Kong's landmark buildings, and creating a more modern and efficient working environment for employees, practicing HKEX's culture that encourages collaboration and sustainable development. The Link REIT will be responsible for project management, overseeing the renovation and enhancement of public areas, expected to be completed in the coming years. The office renovation and relocation work will also be carried out in stages. This investment is part of HKEX's global footprint. HKEX has offices in mainland China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, and is actively preparing for the opening of an office in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the group also has a flagship data center in Hong Kong.