FENC issues nation’s first sustainable development bond

In response to the government’s sustainable development policy, Far Eastern New Century Corp (FENC, 遠東新世紀) was the first company to be qualified to issue a sustainable development exchangeable bond.

Far Eastern New Century Corp president Humphrey Cheng, left, and Taipei Exchange chairman Philip Chen attended a sustainable development exchangeable bond listing ceremony in Taipei yesterday. Photo courtesy of Far Eastern New Century Corp

The exchange bond was listed and began trading on the Taipei Exchange yesterday. As the lead underwriter, KGI Securities Ltd (凱基證券) facilitated the issuance, driving Taiwan’s sustainable bond market toward a new milestone.

The issuance involved exchangeable bonds for NT$1 billion of Asia Cement Corp (亞洲水泥) and NT$1.5 billion of Far Eastern Department Stores Co (遠東百貨) with a term of five years.

“To cope with an era of carbon pricing, corporate entities must address the impacts of climate change and provide responsive solutions toward decarbonization, transforming the challenge into a strength in order to take the lead in the race to net zero,” FENC chairman Douglas Hsu said.

FENC, an innovative industry pioneer, responded to the government’s sustainable development policies and integrated financial planning seamlessly into its corporate sustainability strategies.

FENC was the first to offer several sustainable financial products in Taiwan with great success, channeling investment funds into sustainable projects from diverse sources, and fostered a positive cycle among government and corporate entities, and investors.

Taipei Exchange released the guidelines for sustainable development bonds in December last year, allowing convertible bonds to be issued within the scope of sustainable development bonds, with an aim to expand the market for sustainable development bonds.

FENC took the initiative once again and successfully issued the first corporate sustainable development exchangeable bond, to set an example and encourage more corporate entities to participate in sustainable development.

The funds raised by the FENC listing are to be used to support investment projects with green benefits for the company and its subsidiary, Oriental Petrochemical (Taiwan) Co Ltd (亞東石化股份有限公司). With measures to improve manufacturing processes, equipment and energy management, the company aims to actively achieve sustainability transformation goals — reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, grow green products to 50 percent and utilize 50 percent green feedstock by 2030.

This would contribute to the overall long-term operational development of the company, as it strives to practice environmentally friendly and socially prosperous sustainable business principles.