Source: Media Outreach
To promote sustainable development and environment friendly property projects
HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – 15 July 2020 – CIFI Holdings (Group) Co. Ltd. (“CIFI” or the “Group”, HKEx stock code: 884), a leading real estate developer engaged in the property development and investment business in the first-, second- and robust third-tier cities in China, is pleased to announce that the Group has successfully issued its first green bond (the “Green Bond”) in Hong Kong with an issuance size of US$300 million, 5.95% coupon and a tenor of 5.25 years. Standard Chartered Bank, China CITIC Bank International, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., Haitong International, HSBC, Morgan Stanley and UBS are the joint global coordinators, joint bookrunners and joint lead managers in respect of the offer and sale of the Notes as well as the initial purchasers of the Notes.
HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank as Green Structuring Advisors to develop a CIFI Green Bond Framework which is in alignment with ICMA’s Green Bond Principles (GBP). In addition, CIFI has engaged with Sustainalytics to issue a Second Party Opinion to serve as an independent external review.
Despite the recent financial market volatility, the Green Bond saw strong demand from international investors, attracting total orders at peak time exceeding US$2.4 billion, which was over 8 times the issuance size. The investors consisted of 67% from Asia and 33% from Europe.
The Group plans to use the proceeds of the green bond to refinance its existing debts. The Notes are being issued as ”Green Bonds” under a Green Bond Framework and the Group extends its green strategy as a large proportional of the Group’s existing projects provide tangible environment benefit and can be classified as “Eligible Projects” as per its green bond framework.
There were 15 CIFI’s projects obtained China Green Building Label 2 stars or above, 2 projects obtained China Health Building Label. In terms of new construction area in 2019, 23.9% of area were certified with 2-star or above. Going forward, the Group will continue its commitment to all projects at least 1-star and target to have 2-star or above accounted for one third of its newly constructed area. In addition, all commercial properties and high-end residential property projects of CIFI are required to achieve 2-star or above.
Mr. Lin Zhong, Chairman of CIFI Holdings’ Board of Directors, said: “We are pleased to see such strong demand for the Green Bond. The favourable response from international investors indicates not only their recognition of CIFI’s positive business outlook, but also the support of our determination and efforts in promoting sustainable development and environment friendly property projects.”
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
