May 2004
23 pages

Hong Kong Report [2.16 MB]

ASrIA Reports - SRI In Asian Markets: Hong Kong

Research by:
Alexandra Tracy and Adam Cheung

Project Manager:
David St. Maur Sheil

Building on the market research ASrIA has conducted with Hong Kong University, we
have published this review of SRI in Hong Kong SAR and the scope for developing
the market here.

Key findings include:

• SRI is new to Hong Kong, with limited choice available: six global funds and one local fund management house offering SRI funds to local investors.
• Hong Kong has a large, well educated 'caring sector' including social workers, medical staff and teachers. There are also many environmental and social groups reflecting high levels of awareness for SRI related issues.
• The ASrIA/HKU survey suggests a viable market for SRI exists among older, more educated residents, in particular women.
• Hong Kong corporates are becoming more familiar with the practice of SRI reporting, resulting in better information for investors. Several global SRI research houses monitor Hong Kong's largest companies.
• The Government has introduced limited reform on corporate governance concerns and some support for corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Investor activism is a growing trend and could extend to a broader range of SRI related concerns.