The Government today launched the Green Bond Grant Scheme, a 2018-19 Budget initiative to subsidise eligible green bond issuers in obtaining certification under the Green Finance Certification Scheme established by the Quality Assurance Agency.

The Green Bond Grant Scheme will encourage green bond issuances to make use of Hong Kong's competitive capital markets and its sophisticated financial and professional services, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau said.

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 bureau added.

The full cost of obtaining certification under the 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 $500 million, are welcome to apply.

The scheme will be valid for three years.

Click here for the eligibility criteria.