Vital link to the future

The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect will have a broad impact on the Hong Kong and mainland equity markets.

Much discussion and debate has centered on the opportunities the program will offer investors. Some believe it will provide a long-sought gateway to opportunities in the A-share market that have been closed to offshore investors. Others contend that the mainland market's practices and regulations will deter offshore institutional investors.

But it seems that there will be no shortage of investors eager to test the waters. All three seminars for local investors held by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong last month were fully booked, and brokerages are working to attract clients and develop new investment products for the program.