The Government will issue green bonds on select public infrastructure projects, with up to $19 billion of public sector green projects already identified, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget speech on Tues. “Sustainability efforts require capital. Green finances will be an important enabler,” he said. “The issuance of green bonds by the Government will build on these efforts by deepening market liquidity for green bonds, attracting green issuers, capital, and investors, and anchoring Singapore as a green finance hub.” The issuance will serve as a reference for the Singapore Dollar corporate green bond market, including the standards and framework applied, as well as the yields achieved, added Mr Heng. “As an intl financial centre, Singapore can catalyse the flow of capital towards sustainable development, not just in Singapore, but in Asia,” he pointed out. In addition to capital, technology will also be a “key enabler” of Singapore’s Green Plan, said Mr Heng. At the same time, he pointed out that there will be “constraints” and trade-offs.... Continue Reading