Cambodia is expanding its green bond support programme and seeking new issuers to join and help finance green and sustainable projects in the south-east Asian country.
Launched in 2023, the Cambodia sustainable bond accelerator provides technical and financial support to companies looking to issue green and sustainable bonds.
“This initiative aims to unlock financing for projects that address Cambodia’s climate mitigation and adaptation priorities – ranging from renewable energy and clean transportation to smart agriculture, energy efficiency, and green buildings,” said Sou Socheat, director general of the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC).
The aim is “to empower more Cambodian issuers to access capital markets and mobilise investments that align with our national climate goals”.
The programme will provide advisory support and help issuers meet international sustainable bond standards, as well as promote climate-related investments in Cambodia and lower the cost of issuance. It is a joint initiative of the SERC, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Global Green Growth Institute, with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) joining for the third phase.
The initiative has supported issuance of more than US$60mn in green bonds, with an expected $100mn in issuances in progress. Cambodia’s growth in sustainable finance is largely due to cooperation among regulators, partners and market participants, and is part of Cambodia’s national sustainable development efforts, Socheat said at an event in July.
Cambodia is committed to “a robust, transparent, and inclusive sustainability bond ecosystem that supports long-term economic growth and environmental resilience”, Socheat said of the green bond programme expansion.
Applications for the third phase of the sustainable bond programme are open until 31 August.