Hong Kong: Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised Bank of China (Hong Kong) and HSBC as joint lead managers on the issuance of Hong Kong SAR Government’s inaugural retail green bonds under the Government Green Bond Programme. Open for subscription on April 26, the government has more than tripled the offer size for the three-year note to HK$20 billion (US$2.56 billion). The issuance is the largest retail green bond issuance globally to-date.
Lead partner Mark Chan said, “We are delighted and honoured to advise on this historically important, ESG-led market first transaction for Hong Kong. Bringing together our extensive experience leading the world’s most significant ESG finance transactions, the introduction of the largest retail green bond offering to-date represents Hong Kong SAR Government’s commitment to provide a broad spectrum of green finance products, bringing such products to the retail market as well as building the necessary market infrastructure in its development to become an international premier green finance hub.”
Mark was supported by associates George Mok and Christine Chan.
The firm has a track record of advising on market-leading and innovative debt issuances such as the first US dollar sustainability linked bond in Asia (ex Japan), Hong Kong’s first non-governmental retail bonds and the first dim sum bonds to combat coronavirus.
Clifford Chance is one of the world’s pre-eminent law firms with significant depth and range of resources across five continents. As a single, fully integrated, global partnership, we pride ourselves on our approachable, collegial and team-based way of working. We always strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, which include corporates from all the commercial and industrial sectors, governments, regulators, trade bodies and not for profit organisations. We provide them with the highest quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.
