GEM provides an alternative avenue for emerging companies to raise funds for business development.
The stated mission of GEM is to become a successful stock market in its own right known for its quality, level of transparency, level playing field, orderly transactions as well as investor protection. It targets at growth enterprises from all industries and of all sizes, with the objective of allowing these enterprises easier access to capital. The creation of a second market in Hong Kong has not been an easy task. The concept was first mooted in 1987. Since then, there has been much debate on its need and functions as a separate trading platform.