HK Movers | CTG DUTY-FREE Surges 18% as Hainan Free Trade Port Sets Island-Wide Closure Date

On July 24, Hong Kong stock CTG DUTY-FREE (01880) surged about 18% in early trading, as the full island closure date for the Hainan Free Trade Port was confirmed. Institutions indicate that policy restrictions are more open.

Recently, National Development and Reform Commission Deputy Director Wang Changlin stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, that the full island closure of the Hainan Free Trade Port will officially commence on December 18, 2025. The operation will implement a liberalization and facilitation policy system characterized by "opening up the ‘first line’, controlling the ‘second line’, and free movement within the island". Additionally, the Ministry of Finance and two other departments issued tax policies for goods in the entire Hainan Free Trade Port closure. CITIC Securities (600030) believes that the greatest significance of the closure lies in trade, which will also help accelerate Hainan's development into an international tourism and consumption center, benefiting tourism-related operating entities on the island (scenic spots, hotels, tourism retailers, travel service providers, etc.) in the long term.

CITIC Securities (06030) pointed out that for duty-free operators, due to the more relaxed quarantine policy on the "second line" in terms of duty-free quotas and policy restrictions, the continued implementation of duty-free policies will maintain their competitive advantage. The increase in Hainan's attractiveness and the larger flow of people following the closure will enhance the overall development of Hainan's tourism retail market. More notably, from a commercial nature perspective, the leading advantages in core property layout, supply chain resources, and superior operational capabilities are the fundamental support, and duty-free operators who complete their commercial layouts first will maintain their advantageous positions in the Hainan retail market.