Hong Kong and the mainland China city and financial hub of Shanghai are looking to co-operate on a range of financial initiatives, with one of them being insurance-linked securities (ILS).
Representatives of the respective governments, financial regulators and exchanges met last week to discuss how to further enhance financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Insurance and reinsurance market co-operation is one of the areas of focus, but so too is the area where reinsurance and capital markets collide.
There are going to be a series of measures implemented that help to expand mutual access to each others capital markets, with a deepening of co-operation between the securities markets of the two cities a key goal.
Insurance-linked securities (ILS), such as catastrophe bonds, could be an appropriate area to focus, bringing together capital market securities and reinsurance, which are two areas where co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai is hoped to deepen.
Regular meetings are set to be held, led by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shanghai Office for Advancing International Financial Center Development.
Speaking at a recent event, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong, Christopher Hui, explained, “Our initiatives in insurance-linked securities (ILS) have marked significant advancements. Since establishing a dedicated regulatory regime and pilot grant scheme in 2021, we have successfully facilitated the issuance of four catastrophe bonds, totalling US$560 million.
“The purpose of these financial instruments is to provide a safeguard against the financial repercussions of natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, both within the Mainland and in other parts of the world.
“We also welcomed the inaugural listing of an ILS in Hong Kong, and strive to attract more issuing institutions and professional talent, with a view to fostering the ILS ecosystem and expanding diversified channels for risk management.”
Just recently, Hong Kong secured a second listing of a World Bank catastrophe bond on the local exchange, as the Jamaica catastrophe bond was listed there.
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Highlighting the importance of integration and co-operation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, Hui said, “We see tremendous potential to enhance connectivity between the Mainland and Hong Kong insurance markets.”
Hui also noted that, “As we focus on regional integration and the expansion of insurance services, we are equally committed to ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the insurance sector through regulatory enhancements.”
Hong Kong has always had a focus within its reinsurance and ILS market initiatives to seek greater integration with Chinese insurers and potential sponsors of catastrophe bonds.
Just a fortnight ago, executives from the Insurance Authority of Hong Kong noted the importance of aligning the countries ILS ambitions with those of China, in saying that developing capital market disaster risk transfer facilities for local insurers and reinsurers, as well as for municipalities in China, would be a focus.
It’s encouraging to see the focus continuing, within the broader efforts to co-operate with Shanghai.
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It’s also notable that, in recent months, our sister publication Reinsurance News reported that the Shanghai Insurance Exchange (SIE) launched an international reinsurance business trading platform, and that it quickly signed its first inward business agreement shortly after.
On the listing of the Jamaica cat bond from the World Bank’s IBRD, Clement Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of the IA said, “The citizens in Hong Kong are no stranger to the devasting impact of tropical cyclones. This issuance of insurance-linked securities (ILS) shows clearly that we care for and are willing to support economies in mitigating the risks arising from natural disasters.
Mutual Benefits: A Win-Win for Hong Kong and Shanghai
The Hong Kong-Shanghai ILS cooperation presents several potential advantages for both cities:
For Hong Kong:
- Enhanced Competitiveness: Collaboration with Shanghai can position Hong Kong as a leading ILS hub in Asia, attracting international capital and expertise.
- Market Diversification: Development of a robust ILS market can provide alternative risk transfer options for insurers in Hong Kong, contributing to market stability and diversification.
- Financial Innovation: Cooperation can stimulate innovation in the development of new ILS products catering to a wider range of risks within the region.
For Shanghai:
- Access to International Capital: Shanghai can leverage Hong Kong’s established financial infrastructure and deep pool of international investors to access much-needed capital for infrastructure projects and risk mitigation strategies.
- Learning from Expertise: Collaboration with Hong Kong, a pioneer in the Asian insurance market, can provide valuable knowledge and experience in structuring and managing ILS transactions.
- Risk Management Solutions: A robust ILS market can offer Shanghai innovative risk management tools to manage the growing complexities of the Chinese economy.
A Global Ripple Effect: Implications for the ILS Market
The Hong Kong-Shanghai ILS pact has the potential to create a ripple effect across the global ILS market:
- Asian Growth Engine: The collaboration can act as a catalyst for the development of a vibrant ILS market in Asia, potentially attracting international participants and increasing global ILS issuance volume.
- Diversification of Risk Pools: A growing Asian ILS market can provide new sources of capital for risk transfer, leading to a more diversified global risk pool and potentially lower reinsurance costs.
- New Risk Coverage Options: Collaboration can stimulate the development of innovative ILS products that address specific risks prevalent in the Asian market, expanding the options available to investors and insurers globally.
Challenges and Considerations: Navigating the Road Ahead
While the Hong Kong-Shanghai ILS pact presents exciting opportunities, some challenges need to be addressed:
- Regulatory Convergence: Harmonizing regulations across two jurisdictions can be a complex process. Careful planning and open communication are crucial to achieve regulatory alignment.
- Investor Appetite: Building investor appetite for ILS products in Asia requires ongoing education and a strong track record of successful transactions.
- Market Infrastructure Development: Developing the necessary infrastructure, such as clearing houses and legal frameworks, is essential for supporting a robust ILS market.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Future for Asian ILS
The Hong Kong-Shanghai ILS pact signifies a bold step towards fostering a more dynamic and innovative ILS market in Asia. By leveraging their combined strengths and addressing potential challenges, the two cities can create a win-win situation for both regional and global insurance and reinsurance markets. The collaboration presents an exciting opportunity not only for Hong Kong and Shanghai but also for international investors and risk transfer solutions across the globe. As this partnership unfolds, one can expect to see increased activity, product innovation, and a vibrant Asian ILS market emerge in the coming years.