SFC and UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority sign landmark MoU to deepen fund distribution collaboration

On September 18, 2025, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) of the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cross-border market access for public funds through a Mutual Recognition of Funds (MRF) arrangement. This landmark agreement allows the direct offering of unlisted foreign funds to retail investors in the UAE for the first time, marking Hong Kong’s first MRF with a Middle Eastern market and the UAE’s first with a jurisdiction outside the region. SFC CEO Julia Leung emphasized the MoU’s significance in reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a preferred fund domicile and a key gateway between Mainland China and the Middle East. SCA CEO H.E. Waleed Saeed Abdul Salam Al Awadhi highlighted the partnership as a transformative milestone that empowers investors and fosters innovation in the global investment landscape. The collaboration was underscored by a high-level meeting between both parties, focusing on mutual market access and investor protection. Resources: https://apps.sfc.hk/edistributionWeb/gateway/EN/news-and-announcements/news/doc?refNo=25PR149