Hong Kong will be the world's third-biggest initial public offering market this year, with up to HK$150 billion ($19.3 billion) to be raised by as many as 80 companies, accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP said on Tuesday.

That is almost double the HK$89.9 billion raised last year by 64 companies, the lowest since the financial crisis hit in 2009.

The market didn't get off to a good start this year. Only 23 companies went public in Hong Kong in the first half, compared with 32 listings in the first half of last year.