The dual-currency counter model will provide shareholders and potential investors with a new trading currency option that could further enhance the liquidity of its shares, BYD said.

BYD Company Limited (1211.HK) has applied to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) for a dual-currency counter that would allow investors to trade its shares in RMB in addition to the Hong Kong dollar, according to a stock exchange announcement.

The move is intended to express support for the HKEX's introduction of a dual Hong Kong dollar-RMB counter model and the nationalization of the yuan, the new energy vehicle (NEV) giant said in the announcement today.

The HKEX said in December it would introduce the new dual-counter trading model starting in the first half of 2023.

Other companies listed in Hong Kong, including Baidu, Tencent, JD.com, and have also applied to the HKEX for dual currency counters.

The HKEX said last month that the dual-currency counter was introduced to further promote the internationalization of the yuan.

The dual-currency counter model will provide BYD shareholders and potential investors with a new choice of trading currency, enhancing trading convenience and flexibility while further enhancing the liquidity of its shares, BYD said.

With the launch of the dual-currency counter model, it will be possible for investors to purchase Hong Kong shares directly in RMB.

Previously, for investors participating in the Hong Kong-mainland stock connect mechanism, they had to bear the risk of exchange rate movements of RMB against Hong Kong dollar during their holding of Hong Kong stocks.

Introducing yuan pricing in the stock connect mechanism could reduce some of the exposure to exchange rate fluctuations in Hong Kong stock investments, CICC said in a research note last month.

It is also expected to allow the trading facility to attract more yuan funds, which in turn would boost trading activity and volume, CICC said.

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