Mirae Asset Global Investments said Sunday that its Hong Kong unit, its first overseas operation, has marked its 20th anniversary.

The Hong Kong subsidiary, founded in 2003, has been pivotal to the company's overseas expansion.

In 2005, it launched Mirae Asset Asia Pacific Star Securities Investment – the first fund to be managed directly overseas. It also facilitated overseas investment opportunities for Korean investors by introducing various emerging market funds including BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- investment funds.

After tapping into Hong Kong’s exchange-traded fund market in 2011, it has become one of the top six leading ETF operators there. As of November, the total net assets for 35 ETF products managed by the Hong Kong arm were worth some 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion).

In October this year, the Hong Kong unit also launched the Global X Hang Seng Tech ETF on China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange, becoming the first Korean asset manager to do so.

Through the ETF, Chinese investors can invest in the 30 largest Chinese tech shares without being limited by the government’s regulations on offshore investments.

Buoyed by its Hong Kong operations, Mirae Asset has expanded into 16 countries worldwide including the US, Canada, Australia and Japan.

As of November, the total overseas assets managed by Mirae Asset Global Investment amounted to some 120 trillion won, representing about 40 percent of the company's total net assets.

"We will continue to strive for further growth overseas to leap forward as a global asset manager representing Korea not only in Hong Kong but also on the global stage," said Kim Young-hwan, head of global management at Mirae Asset Global Investments.