On Wednesday morning, Malta’s first green bond, issued by ClearFlowPlus plc, a subsidiary of the Water Services Corporation, celebrated its first listing on the Malta Stock Exchange with the traditional ringing of the bell ceremony.
This €25 million bond, boasting a 4.25% interest rate and maturing in 2033, was fully subscribed within a few hours after its issuance on August 1st.
The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli, Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) Chairperson Joseph Portelli together with Water Services Corporation CEO Karl Cilia and the corporation’s directors, were present for the formal commencement of trading.
The proceeds from this bond will be used for financing a range of eco-conscious initiatives, including the reverse osmosis plant at Ħondoq ir-Rummien, the establishment of solar farms, improvements in wastewater treatment aeration, reduction of non-revenue water, enhancements in billing efficiencies and upgrades to water network infrastructure.
These green bonds align seamlessly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union’s Green Deal, representing the Water Services Corporation’s unwavering environmental commitment and its dedication to investing in sustainable water management.
Minister Miriam Dalli commended the initiative as an important milestone in Malta’s path towards a sustainable future. “This initiative not only underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship but also positions Malta, amongst other leaders in green finance,” remarked Minister Miriam Dali.
Malta Stock Exchange Chairperson Joseph Portelli said “This is a historic moment for the Malta Stock Exchange – not only a first in that we have the first listing on the green market, but it is also the first time that an entity affiliated with the Maltese government, other than the Maltese government itself, has come to us. There is a strong interest for further entities to join Malta’s stock exchange, offering our investors robust opportunities to invest.”
Karl Cilia, CEO of the Water Services Corporation noted that “the listing of our first green bond exemplifies our dedication to advancing sustainable practices in Malta. It is a testament to the trust that investors have in our vision for a greener future, and we look forward to leading the way in this domain.”
For more information, visit www.wsc.com.mt
Il-Borża ta’ Malta bl-ewwel Green Bonds
L-Erbgħa filgħodu, l-ewwel green bonds f’Malta, li nħarġu minn ClearFlowPlus plc, kumpanija sussidjarja tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma, ġew uffiċjalment imniżżla fil-Borża ta’ Malta, waqt iċ-ċerimonja tradizzjonali tad-daqq tal-qanpiena.
Dawn il-green bonds, b’valur ta’ €25 miljun, b’rata ta’ imgħax ta’ 4.25% u b’maturazzjoni fl-2033, inħatfu fi ftit sigħat wara li ħarġu għall-pubbliku fl-1 t’Awwissu li għadda.
Il-ftuħ tan-negozjar ta’ dawn il-bonds fil-Borża ta’ Malta sar fil-preżenza tal-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża, Miriam Dalli, iċ-Chairperson tal-Borża ta’ Malta, Joseph Portelli flimkien mal-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma, Karl Cilia u d-diretturi tal-istess entità.
Il-fondi minn dawn il-green bonds se jintużaw għall-iffinanzjar ta’ proġetti ambjentali, fosthom l-impjant tar-reverse osmosis f’Ħondoq ir-Rummien, impjanti ta’ pannelli solari, titjib fis-sistemi tat-trattament tad-drenaġġ, inqas telf ta’ ilma, tisħiħ fl-effiċjenza tas-sistemi tal-kontijiet u tisħiħ tal-infrastruttura tad-distribuzzjoni tal-ilma.
Dawn il-green bonds qed jikkontribwixxu għall-għanijiet tal-Iżvilupp Sostenibbli tan-Nazzjonijiet Magħquda u tal-Green Deal tal-Unjoni Ewropea, u huma xhieda tal-impenn kontinwu tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma lejn il-ħarsien ambjentali u l-investiment fl-immaniġġjar sostenibbli tal-ilma.
Il-Ministru Miriam Dalli faħħret din l-inizjattiva bħala tragward importanti fil-ħidma ta’ Malta lejn futur sostenibbli. “Din l-inizjattiva mhux biss turi l-impenn lejn il-ħarsien ambjentali iżda tpoġġi lil Malta fuq quddiem fl-iffinanzjar ambjentali,” qalet il-Ministru Miriam Dalli.
Iċ-Chairperson tal-Borża ta’ Malta Joseph Portelli qal, “Dan hu mument storiku għall-Borża ta’ Malta hekk kif mhux biss għandna l-ewwel green bonds, iżda din hija wkoll l-ewwel darba li entità tal-Gvern Malti, apparti l-Gvern innifsu, qed tiġi għandna bl-investimenti tagħha. Hemm interess qawwi biex aktar entitajiet jingħaqdu mal-Borża ta’ Malta, biex ikomplu joffru lill-investituri opportunitajiet robusti fejn jinvestu.”
Karl Cilia, Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma stqarr li “bl-ewwel green bonds qed nuru d-dedikazzjoni tagħna biex inkomplu nsaħħu l-prattiċi ambjentali f’Malta. Huma wkoll xhieda tal-fiduċja li l-investituri għandhom fil-viżjoni tagħna għal futur aktar sostenibbli. Ninsabu ħerqana biex inkomplu nkunu minn ta’ quddiem f’dan il-qasam.”
Għal aktar tagħrif, żur www.wsc.com.mt.
