In Focus

Find out what will fuel the nasty unemployment figures next year.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd intends to offer new commodities about two years from now following its purchase of the London Metal Exchange.

Sec Anthony Cheung said they will also review housing priorities.

Seven in ten said they intend to amass more cash to see them safely through the economic crisis.

Singapore has issued full banking licenses to branches of two Chinese Big Four banks.

A leading Chinese investment bank foresees property prices in Hong Kong jumping 10% this year despite government efforts to dampen soaring prices.

Pro-Beijing Jasper Tsang Yok-sing will retain his post as President of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.

That is a US$3b increase from August, says the Monetary Authority.

Some 40% of Hang Seng Index companies had no women directors in 2011.

Hong Kong braces for a housing boom in the next six years fueled by developers awash in cash from the prolonged low-interest regime.

Total deposits in Hong Kong’s banking system inched forward by just 1% in August, said the Monetary Authority.

The first free trade agreement between Hong Kong and the European Free Trade Association member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland came into force yesterday.

The government is to increase Hong Kong’s minimum wage by HK$2 to HK$30 per hour on Labour Day 2013.

Property firm New World Development Company Ltd reported a net profit for fiscal 2012 that was 11% higher than a year ago but below market forecasts.

Premium office rents fell further in the third quarter with the average rate tumbling 23% from its peak level in 2008.

Net inflation rose 3.7% in August year-on-year despite a respite from rent increases.