The total number of local companies registered under the Companies Ordinance was 1,384,504 as at the end of June this year, according to the statistics released by the Companies Registry today (July 13).
A total of 56,253 local companies were newly registered during the first half of 2021, which shows an increase of 11.07 per cent when compared to the figure in the second half of 2020.
The Registrar of Companies, Ms Kitty Tsui, said, "It is delightful to note that more applicants applying for incorporation of local companies choose to submit applications online after the reduction of fees payable for online incorporation of companies and registration of non-Hong Kong companies pursuant to the Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2020."
The Securities and Futures and Companies Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which seeks to amend the Securities and Futures Ordinance, the Companies Ordinance (CO) and a few other enactments, was enacted by the Legislative Council on June 2, 2021, with a view to establishing a legal framework for the implementation of a complete uncertificated securities market (USM) regime in Hong Kong. "The Registry has been assisting with the implementation of the legislative proposals for the USM regime, particularly on the part concerning the CO," Ms Tsui added.
Regarding non-Hong Kong companies that have newly established a place of business in Hong Kong, 662 companies were registered under the CO in the first half of 2021. The total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies reached 14,044 by the end of June 2021.
The number of charges on properties of companies received for registration in the first half of 2021 was 8,376, compared to 7,969 in the second half of 2020. The number of notifications of payments and releases received for registration in the first half of 2021 was 9,599, compared to 9,234 in the second half of 2020.
The number of documents delivered for registration during the first six months of 2021 increased by 1.67 per cent to 1,441,138, compared to 1,417,409 in the second half of 2020.
A total of 2,467,763 searches of document image records were conducted using the Registry's electronic search services in the first half of 2021, representing an increase of 2.61 per cent compared to the figure of 2,404,891 in the second half of 2020.
As for the licensing of trust or company service providers, during the first half of 2021, a total of 216 licences were granted. The number of licensees reached 7,194 as at the end of June.
For details of the half-yearly statistics, please visit the "Statistics" section of the Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk).
Follow this news feed: East Asia