Regulators Update the Business Community on Risk Disclosure Requirements for Retail Investment Products and Other Topical Issues

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries hosted the 10th Annual Corporate and Regulatory Update (ACRU) to maintain a healthy information flow between regulators and Chartered Secretaries

HONG KONG, May 25 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) hosted the tenth ACRU conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, 21 May 2009. ACRU is traditionally the most popular and largest professional development programme run by the Institute every year. This year was no exception, and with approximately 800 delegates in attendance.

"ACRU serves as an important channel for our members and other professionals to receive technical up-to-date knowledge interactively. For example, an update session by Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) covered the hot topic of privatisation. In addition, the SFC highlighted the risk disclosure requirements for retail investment products -- another highly relevant and timely issue. As usual for ARCU, participants were able to directly question representatives of the SFC and other regulators and get their insights into relevant issues. This is what makes ACRU so unique and why it is so popular with members and other professionals," said Mrs Natalia Seng, President of HKICS and Chairperson of the Professional Development Committee.

Other issues discussed included the latest developments in listing policy (HKEx) and an update on the Companies Ordinance Rewrite by The Companies Registry(CR). Both of these issues will have a significant impact on the work of Chartered Secretaries and other governance practitioners.

The CR introduced their integrated information system that streamlines e-incorporation and e-filing procedures. The driving forces behind such digital initiatives and the timeline to full launch were also outlined in the presentation.

"With the continued support of the CR, HKEx, ORO, SFC and the various professional bodies, ACRU has always been one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year for the business community," added Mrs Seng. "On behalf of the Institute I would like to thank the regulators, supporting professional bodies and our many sponsors for their kind support in making ACRU a continued success. "

For more information, please visit www.hkics.org.hk

About The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries

More than meets the eye.

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) is an independent professional body dedicated to the promotion of its members' role in the formulation and effective implementation of good governance policies in Hong Kong and throughout China as well as the development of the profession of Chartered Secretary.

HKICS was first established in 1949 as an association of Hong Kong members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) of London. It became a branch of ICSA in 1990 before gaining local status in 1994 and today has more than 5,000 members and approximately 2,500 students.

For more information, please visit HKICS website www.hkics.org.hk

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Gloria Fung / Ms Elaine Cheung

Tel: +852-2881-6177

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Email: gloria@hkics.org.hk / elaine@hkics.org.hk