The government might allow mainland firms listed on the Shenzhen growth enterprise board (GEB) to be traded on the Hong Kong bourse, industry insiders said yesterday.

Former JP Morgan China President Li Xiaojia, who is likely to head Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEx) in October, will work with the Shenzhen bourse and the regulator on the issue, people familiar with the issue said.

"The program could finally expand to allow GEB-listed companies to be traded on other overseas bourses like London or New York," the sources said.