Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has launched a dedicated REIT channel to expedite the authorization of new real estate investment trusts for public offerings, according to a statement released on Monday.

The one-stop platform allows local and international applicants to consult the regulator on a confidential basis, while a streamlined authorisation process and reduced documentation are expected to shorten approval times to about four weeks from take-up under normal circumstances.

The SFC also issued a circular simplifying requirements for secondary offerings of existing authorised REITs as part of efforts to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading REIT market.