Government launches Green Bond Grant Scheme

It subsidises green bond issuers in obtaining certification.

The government rolled out the Green Bond Grant Scheme, an initiative revealed in the 2018-19 budget that subsidises eligible green bond issuers in obtaining certification under the Green Finance Certification Scheme established by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA). 

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The full cost of obtaining certification under the three-year scheme for eligible green bond issuances will be granted with up to a $800,000 per issuance.

First time and repeat issuers with their green bonds of any tenor issued and listed in Hong Kong, and denominated in any currency at a minimum size of $500m, are welcome to apply.

“The enhanced transparency and accreditation standards of green financial products will be conducive to strengthening market confidence in green finance and help establish Hong Kong as a global green finance hub,” the Financial Services & Treasury Bureau said in a statement.

Launched last January, the Green FInance Certification Scheme aims to support environmentally-friendly investments through the provision of third-party conformity assessments for green finance issuers.