HKEX to Roll out New Electronic Communication Platform in Phases

HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing) will launch will begin a phased rollout of a new version of its electronic communication platform (ECP2.0) on 25 April 2022 (Monday).

The ECP serves as an electronic channel for filings between HKEX and market participants, including for the daily submissions required for stamp duty payments by exchange participants.

Plans to launch a new platform – ECP 2.0 – were unveiled in January, to improve usability and pave the way for new functionalities including file submissions under the HKIDR (Hong Kong Investor Identification Regime), which is expected to be launched in H2 2022.

To be rolled out in phases, ECP 2.0 will feature a new web user interface, a SFTP service via SDNet for automation of the existing submission and download processes, and unified access via HKEX's Client Connect.

In a new circular, HKEX said the phase 1 rollout will allow exchange participants to run the file downloading function on both the existing ECP and the new ECP 2.0 in parallel, starting from 25 April 2022. Day-end trade files and closing price files will be available for download, as set out in the Appendix of the ECP 2.0 User Guide.

Exchange participants are reminded to set up their access to ECP 2.0 in Client Connect prior to the rollout. 

Following the successful rollout of phase 1 and a parallel run period, phase 2 will allow exchange participants to run the file submission function.

HKEX said file submissions will gradually be migrated from existing ECP to ECP 2.0 starting tentatively in early June.

Source: Regulation Asia