Hong Kong SAR government to restart retail green bond issuance with a maximum value of HK$20 billion

　　Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, April 10 (Reporter Huang Qiantian) The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Maobo, said in a blog on the 10th that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will restart the issuance of government green retail bonds in the short term.

The issuance of retail green bonds this time is HK$15 billion, and can be increased to a maximum of HK$20 billion according to the subscription situation.

　　Chen Maobo said that the first batch of green retail bonds issued by the SAR government was originally scheduled to be launched in early March this year, but it was postponed due to the severe impact of the fifth wave of the epidemic.

Considering that the epidemic situation has gradually improved, and many business activities can also be conducted online or other electronic means, the SAR government will restart the issuance of these batch of government retail green bonds in the short term.

　　He said that the issuance quota is the HK$6 billion issuance quota temporarily postponed in the previous financial year, which will be combined with the new quota for this financial year.

This arrangement can reduce issuance costs and administrative work, and also allows greater flexibility in time for the issuance of inflation-linked bonds and silver bonds at a later date.

　　Chen Maobo said that considering the background of rising interest rates, the minimum annual interest rate of these retail green bonds will be raised from 2% to 2.5%, the bond term will be maintained for three years, and the dividend will be paid every six months. The interest rate is linked to local inflation. It is expected that Subscription applications are accepted on or before the end of this month.

　　He said that the funds raised by green bonds will be invested in SAR government infrastructure and other related projects that meet green requirements.

It can be said that by pooling the funds of the public, we will vigorously promote the green construction of Hong Kong, so that while the citizens can achieve their personal investment goals, they can also join hands in building a greener Hong Kong.