Panda Bonds) Officially Traded on Market, Continuing Its Active Development for a Series of International Finance Square Projects
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Immediate Release The Wharf Group’s RMB Medium Term Note Programme (Panda Bonds) Officially Traded on Market, Continuing its Active Development for a Series of International Finance Square Projects 17 October 2016, Hong Kong ―― The Wharf (Holdings) Limited (“Wharf”, Stock Code: 4) holds a cocktail reception at The Westin Beijing Financial Street today to celebrate the approval of registration of Renminbi Medium Term Note Programme (Panda Bonds) in an aggregate amount not exceeding RMB 20 billion by the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (“NAFMII”) and the successful issue of the first tranche amounted RMB 4 billion which is officially traded in the market today. Wharf is the first Hong Kong property developer obtained approval to issue Panda Bonds, and also with the highest registered amount. The first tranche of Medium Term Notes for a period of three years was issued on 12 October 2016. It was well received by the market and over-subscribed for three times. Both Wharf and this tranche of the Programme have received ‘AAA’ credit rating in the Mainland, proving the prime assets and solid foundation of Wharf and its sound credit profile being well recognised by investors and regulatory authorities. Year 2016 being the 130th anniversary of the Wharf Group, it is among a few century-old companies witnessing the developments and changes in Hong Kong. Speaking at the cocktail reception, Stephen Ng, Chairman and Managing Director of Wharf said “We would like to thank NAFMII, Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and our business partners for their staunch support, as well as the investors for their recognition of Wharf’s solid foundation and credit profile. The Group has been active in the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a track record in value creation for our shareholders over the years. We are thrilled to have a successful entry to the Mainland’s bond market and the capital raised will be invested in the International Finance Square (“IFS”) projects in the Mainland.” “The Group has been endeavour to present the series of IFS projects in Chengdu, Chongqing, Changsha, Suzhou and Wuxi since 2008. In the next few years, Chengdu IFS and Wuxi IFS were launched in 2014;Chongqing IFS and Changsha IFS are planned to open in 2017; while Suzhou IFS also being completed gradually. Among them, both Chengdu IFS and Changsha IFS are set to match Harbour City in scale and dominance. The mall of Chengdu IFS hosts nearly 300 the world’s most coveted brands with over 100 debuts in western China; its office towers, with the concept of ‘Vertical Wall Street’, are the most desirable location for multinationals and local financial institutions. With its unparalleled positioning, it has received a host of accolades and become a new landmark in western China,” Ng continued. Hosted by Mr Ng, the cocktail reception received honorable guests including Feng Guanghua, Deputy Secretary General of the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors; Ren Deqi, Executive Vice President of the Bank of China and others. Stephen Ng, Chairman & Managing Director of The Wharf (Holdings) Limited (middle), Feng Guanghua, Deputy Secretary General of the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (6th from left) and Ren Deqi, Executive Vice th President of the Bank of China (6 from right) toasting with other honorable guests About The Wharf (Holdings) Limited Founded in 1886, The Wharf (Holdings) Limited (Stock code: 4) is a listed subsidiary of Wheelock and Company Limited. Wharf is a premier company with the year 2016 being its 130th anniversary and HK$440 billion of total assets as of end June 2016. The Investment Properties (“IP”) portfolio in Hong Kong and China continues to grow over the years and has been a key growth driver for the Group. The book value of the IP portfolio stood at HK$318.6 billion as of end June 2016 which increased by more than 250% from HK$86.7 billion in 2006. Wharf is active in Hong Kong and China with prime real estate as primary strategic focus. Site acquisition, development and marketing are its core competencies while mall development and retail management remain its strategic differentiation. Investment Properties including flagships Harbour City and Times Square is the backbone of Wharf’s business model. The portfolio continues to grow and has been a key growth driver for the Group with addition of five International Finance Square projects in China. Wharf’s mission of “Building for Tomorrow” underlines the Group’s asset expansion programme. The Group now operates 14 hotels in Asia Pacific and is set to expand the portfolio with a solid pipeline of new hotels over the next few years. Also contributing to Wharf’s presence in the Mainland are key port assets along the China coast. Wharf website: www.wharfholdings.com. #### .