HKREITA’s Response to the 2024-2025 Budget Speech

In response to the 2024-2025 Budget Speech delivered by the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, Hong Kong REITS Association (HKREITA) issued a statement as follows:

HKREITA welcomes the proposals outlined in the Hong Kong SAR Government budget for the April 2024 to March 2025 fiscal year aimed at further strengthening the competitiveness of the Hong Kong market.

“The expansion of the mutual-market access regime to cover real estate investment trusts (REITs) will enhance the variety of stable income choices for Hong Kong and Mainland China investors and attract more capital to the Hong Kong market. Waiving the stamp duty on the trading of all REIT units will reduce the trading cost of REITs. These, together with extension of the grant scheme* for REITs for three years, will help promote the development and trading of REITs and benefit the overall development of the REIT market in Hong Kong.” HKREITA Chairman George Hongchoy said.

HKREITA is pleased that parts of its recommendations were accepted by the Administration. On 10 October 2023, HKREITA issued a letter to the Task Force on Enhancing Stock Market Liquidity to propose six key policy recommendations, among which included stamp duty exemption for the trading of H-REIT units and inclusion of H-REITs into the Stock Connect regime.

*Note:

The grant scheme was launched in 2021, which covers eligible expenses incurred in relation to the incorporation or re-domiciliation of an Open-ended Fund Company or the listing of a REIT and paid to Hong Kong-based service providers.

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About Hong Kong REITS Association (HKREITA)

HKREITA is a collaborative platform of the city's real estate investment trusts (REITs) sector. The association brings together REIT managers, industry practitioners and professionals working in the REIT sector who share the association’s vision to jointly promote the overall development of the REIT market in Hong Kong. HKREITA seeks to pool ideas and to serve as the representative voice of the REIT sector in Hong Kong, and works closely with policymakers and other stakeholders to boost Hong Kong's position in the global REIT market.

For details, please visit hkreita.com