Hong Kong Note Printing facts for kids

The banknote printing plant of HKNPL in Tai Po Industrial Estate

Hong Kong Note Printing Limited (HKNPL) is a special company in Hong Kong. Its main job is to print all the bank notes (paper money) used there. These notes are issued by three different banks in Hong Kong.

The company's printing factory started in 1984. It was first set up by a company called Thomas De La Rue. The factory is located in the Tai Po Industrial Estate. In April 1996, the Hong Kong Government bought the factory. They used money from the Exchange Fund to do this. After buying it, they started operating it under its current name, Hong Kong Note Printing Limited.

Who Owns Hong Kong Note Printing Limited?

A company's owners are called its shareholders. They own parts of the company, called shares. In March 1997, the Hong Kong government sold some of its shares in HKNPL. They sold 15% of the company to the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC). This company is based in mainland China.

The Note-Issuing Banks as Owners

Later that same year, in October, the government sold more shares. They sold 10% of the company to each of the three banks that issue banknotes in Hong Kong. This means a total of 30% of the company was sold to these banks.

The three banks are:

• The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (often called HSBC Hong Kong)
• Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)
• Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited

These banks are important because they are the ones allowed to put new banknotes into circulation in Hong Kong.

See also

• Banknotes of the Hong Kong dollar
• Hong Kong dollar