• Published on 2 September 2024
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Hang Seng supports SmartHK’s green finance efforts

Hang Seng Bank (Hang Seng) participated in SmartHK for the second year in a row, taking on the role of cross-boundary green finance partner and exclusively supporting the "Green and Sustainable Development" thematic session.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event was attended by The Hon Paul Chan Mo-po, financial secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Fang Wei, vice governor of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government; and Peter K N Lam, chairman of HKTDC.

Gilbert Lee, head of strategy and planning of Hang Seng Bank, said: “As an international financial centre, Hong Kong offers diverse financing channels and wealth management services. Jiangsu enterprises can leverage Hong Kong for green financing and asset allocation. By combining Hong Kong’s world-class professional services with its vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem, Jiangsu enterprises can effectively align with international green standards and gain access to innovative resources, thereby enhancing their overall competitiveness. As Hong Kong’s largest local bank, Hang Seng is committed to providing comprehensive financing, wealth management, and professional service solutions to support Jiangsu enterprises in advancing sustainable development and achieving green transition.”

At the 'Green and Sustainable Development' thematic session, Ryan Song, vice chairman and chief executive of Hang Seng China, delivered opening remarks, followed by a keynote address from Shelley Zhou, head of corporate sustainability at Hang Seng Bank, on 'Market Trends and International Standards of Green Finance and Sustainable Development.'

Zhou also joined Angus Wong, managing director of wholesale client coverage at Hang Seng Bank, in a panel discussion with other conference guests to explore collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and Jiangsu in green finance and sustainable development. The session attracted over 250 entrepreneurs from both Hong Kong and the mainland.

In addition to the thematic session, Hang Seng China showcased its expertise at an exhibition booth, engaging with nearly 2,000 representatives of Jiangsu enterprises. Hang Seng’s Wealth Management team also visited research institutions and innovation projects in Nanjing and exchanged ideas with local enterprises on promoting high-quality development in the two regions.

With over 90 years of deep-rooted presence in Hong Kong, Hang Seng is committed to becoming a pioneer in green and sustainable development in the financial services industry. Hang Seng’s Commercial Bank recently launched the HKD 80 billion ($10.2 billion) Sustainability Power Up Fund to support customers on their journey toward a sustainable future, offering diversified green and sustainable financing solutions to encourage businesses to actively reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, Hang Seng collaborated with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency to launch the exclusive online ‘SME Green Equipment Financing Assessment Platform’, providing affordable and efficient green equipment loan assessment services to businesses. The bank has also established the ‘Hang Seng Carbon Academy’ which organises industry experience-sharing sessions, offers professional training courses, and facilitates corporate exchanges to help businesses improve their ESG performance.

To meet the increasing demand from investors for sustainable development benchmark indices, Hang Seng Indexes Company has expanded its sustainable development index product portfolio with new offerings, such as the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series, to help clients diversify climate change risks.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker