This follows an earlier PLUS agreement, announced in July 2008, with Bayerische Boerse, the Munich stock exchange, as the basis for co-operation on European securities trading and listing.

The non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with NZX links PLUS with the Asia-Pacific market. NZX operates a main board securities market, a growth market and debt market. The market capitalization of all three combined is around US$50 billion.

Under the agreement, the two exchanges will explore the potential for regulatory alignment which will enable companies listed or seeking a listing on either exchange to fast-track dual-list, facilitating access to capital for small and mid-cap companies to a much broader range of investors than would otherwise be the case on the home market. In particular, PLUS as a new stock exchange for London is ideally positioned to offer Asia-Pacific small and mid-cap companies access to the deep pools of capital located here.

Nemone Wynn-Evans, Chief Financial Officer, said "NZX is an extraordinarily innovative exchange with some exciting trading and exchange infrastructure services. It is also positioned in a fast growing region and we look forward to offering internationally-focused companies and investors access to a broader pool of international liquidity and opportunity."