The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Mr Jin Liqun, spoke at a high-level business seminar in Hong Kong today (November 8). The seminar, organised by the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office (IFFO) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and entitled "President Jin Liqun on AIIB's Operations and Projects", attracted close to 300 industry leaders from various sectors including finance, architecture, building and construction engineering, project management and consulting, project development and operation, as well as professional services.

     Mr Jin said at the seminar that Hong Kong's application to become a member of AIIB is progressing well. He said, "We welcome Hong Kong's application for AIIB membership.  Hong Kong, among other applicants, is expected to become a member of AIIB in the coming months. We look forward to new members playing an active role in the Bank."

     Mr Jin added that AIIB has plans to issue bonds to support infrastructure financing at an appropriate time. "As a world-class financial centre with a robust business architecture, deep and active capital markets, AIIB will certainly consider Hong Kong’s strengths when it issues bonds, " he said.

     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, said, "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with AIIB in its bond issue.  As Hong Kong develops into a key infrastructure financing centre in the region, our businesses and financial institutions look forward to playing an active role in AIIB's operations and project management and contributing to its further development."

     The seminar forms part of IFFO's continued commitment and efforts to promote information exchange and capacity building among the relevant key stakeholders in infrastructure investments and financing in the region.

Ends/Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:00

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