An applicant must make an investment of a minimum of HKD30 million in the permissible investment assets, including investing a minimum of HKD27 million in the permissible financial assets and non-residential real estate (subject to a cap of HKD10 million), and placing HKD3 million into a new CIES Investment Portfolio. The Portfolio will be set up and managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to make investments in companies/projects with a Hong Kong nexus, with a view to supporting the development of innovation and technology industries and other strategic industries that are beneficial to the long-term development of Hong Kong's economy.
Permissible financial assets include:
- Equities listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and traded in Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) or Renminbi (RMB)
- Debt securities denominated in HKD or RMB and issued by an eligible issuer or fully guaranteed by an eligible guarantor
- Certificates of deposits denominated in HKD or RMB issued by authorized institutions with a remaining term to maturity of not less than 12 months at the time of purchase
- Subordinated debts denominated in HKD or RMB issued by authorised institutions
- Eligible Collective Investment Schemes