The Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency today announced the launch of its Green Finance Certification Scheme - Green Fund to provide third-party conformity assessments on green funds.

It encourages investors from the fund market to support green projects and enhances the transparency of the investment process.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau welcomed the launch, which he noted was developed with reference to a number of pertinent international and national standards.  

Mr Lau said: "Following the successful implementation of the certification scheme for green debt instruments last year, the extension to green funds will further strengthen market confidence in green financial products, in line with our ongoing commitment to develop Hong Kong as a leading hub for green finance in the region.

"Much encouraged by an increasing number of funds with an investment focus on climate, green, environmental or sustainable development in Hong Kong in recent years, we will continue to support the certification scheme and encourage more local, Mainland and overseas entities to make use of it and our capital markets for financing their green projects."