(July 16): Hong Kong has mandated banks to sell green notes denominated in US dollars, euros and offshore yuan in the city’s latest push to establish itself as a green finance hub.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, acting as the representative for the sale, has mandated banks to organise a series of fixed income investor calls starting July 16 for the potential offerings, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified.

The city has been ramping up green bond sales as part of a government sustainable bond programme that seeks to promote the development of green and sustainable finance. The government has set a borrowing ceiling of HK$500 billion (RM299.66 billion) for the 2024-2025 budget year. according to the programme’s website. The funds are set to be used for green and sustainable projects.

Hong Kong priced US$750 million (RM3.5 billion) in green bonds across four currencies earlier this year. In 2023, it sold the equivalent of US$6 billion in sustainable bonds in what was Asia’s largest-ever green debt offering.

Uploaded by Arion Yeow