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LME on last lap to authorize Hong Kong as location for metal storage

The London Metal Exchange ( LME) is concluding its process for authorizing Hong Kong as a. place for its global metals warehousing network, which the. exchange thinks about to be a gateway to mainland China.

Approving warehouses in China, the world's biggest customer. of commercial metals, to store metal traded on the LME has been. a tactical goal because Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx). bought the LME in 2012 for $2.2 billion. However the LME. has failed to get regulatory permission.

Growth might suggest an increase to LME trading volumes if. effective, but market sources stated global warehouse. companies stressed over the inflated expenses of storage in Hong Kong. are not likely to rush to list storage facilities in the area.

The application to list Hong Kong as an LME delivery point. has actually been sent and assessed, and we are delighted to validate. that it pleases all of the policy criteria, the LME informed. Reuters.

The final stage of the application procedure, which involves. input from the relevant LME metal advisory committees, is now. underway and we plan to officially communicate next actions in early. 2025.

Last approval is required from the LME's Executive Committee. and Board of Directors.

Policy requirements consist of the place having the ability. to be a conduit for the passage of metal to ultimate. usage points and connections to international trade. routes to allow access to other customer nations, a file on. the LME's site said.

Approval likewise requires the place to be politically and. financially stable, commercially practical, fiscally. suitable, legally sound and exempt to corruption.

Other requirements state LME storage facilities must remain in areas. of net consumption, which Hong Kong is not, and away from. surrounding areas of production for that particular metal, the. file stated. But it unlocks to mainland China, an internet. customer of industrial metals.

Currently the LME has 465 approved warehouses in 32. places across the United States, Europe and Asia storing. metals such as aluminium, copper, zinc, lead, tin and nickel.

(source: Reuters)