The Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC) rang the bell to mark the first time Chinese domestic green bond information is available on an international exchange, at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX) which it selected as preferred partners in this pioneering move.
The bell-ringing marks the first time a green bond issued through the Bond Connect Scheme with Shanghai Clearing House and traded in the Chinese Interbank Market (CIBM) enters an international exchange. It is registered on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s SOL market and displayed on the Luxembourg Green Exchange. It was possible for ADBC to display the bond in Luxembourg as it fulfils all entry requirements of LGX, including the screening by an external third-party review.
“I want to commend ADBC for making the effort and aligning their bond with international green bond standards. I am proud that LuxSE/LGX participates to ADBC’s strategy of going international and attracting global investors. Entering LGX means increased international visibility for ADBC – all bond-related information is now available in English on LGX, the leading platform for sustainable finance instruments. I am sure ADBC’s commitment will be rewarded in the form of a huge interest from investors”, commented Robert Scharfe, CEO of LuxSE.
The aim of the agreement between ADBC and LuxSE is to bridge the Chinese interbank market with international investors and facilitate the acquisition of ADBC domestic green bonds by investors located outside China. This will be achieved through enhancing international visibility and transparency of ADBC’s green, poverty alleviation and sustainability bonds as all information relating to the instruments, e.g. the planned use of proceeds, external opinions, etc., will be published in English.
“This is the first time information related to ADBC’s domestic green bonds will be displayed on an international stock exchange. It will facilitate connectivity among China and international investors”, commented Yin Jiuyong, Vice President of ADBC.
The first ever green bond issued by ADBC through the Bond Connect Scheme, worth RMB 3 billion (USD 450 million), was 4.38 times oversubscribed. Bond Connect is a convenient channel for foreign investors interested in China’s onshore market as it removes some investment hurdles: there is no quota or the need to stipulate an intended investment amount. Overseas investors can also trade directly with eligible onshore dealers through electronic request-for-quote and native interfaces of established electronic bond trading platforms.
ADBC, one of the country’s three policy banks, rated A+/A1, as is China , is the third largest interbank market issuer in China and one of the largest issuers of domestic green bonds. The bank is responsible for food security, poverty alleviation, modernisation of agriculture, urban and rural integration development and key development strategy of China. It employs over 50,000 people.
