The successful launch of the green bonds by the Water Services Corporation and their listing on the Malta Stock Exchange shows investors’ eagerness for green initiatives, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli said. Addressing a business breakfast organised by the Water Services Corporation, Minister Dalli said the issuance of the €25 million bond, subscribed within hours of issuance, showed the potential of this model to help finance more green initiatives. “There is a real opportunity to build on the success of Green Bonds to support a wider range of environmental projects that can drive our country’s digital and environmental transformation. I firmly believe in the strength of collaboration, and I see this as just the beginning of further collaboration to steer more resources towards sustainable investments”, Minister Dalli said.
The bond, issued by ClearFlowPlus p.l.c. and valued at €25 million, boasts a 4.25% interest rate and is set to mature in 2033. The proceeds from the WSC’s green 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. Water Services Corporation CEO Karl Cilia expressed his gratitude to both the investors and partners. “The listing of our first green bond exemplifies our dedication to advancing sustainable practices in Malta. It’s a testament to investors’ trust in our vision for a greener future”, said Cilia. The Corporation’s chief financial officer, Matthew Costa, highlighted the financial intricacies of the bond. “It’s noteworthy that a significant 88% of the green bonds were secured by small investors, showcasing the broad-based support and belief in our sustainable initiatives”, Costa stated.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Robert Abela delivered a video message at a business breakfast event due to the fact he was participating in a Leaders’ Summit in Spain. The Prime Minister underscored the strategic importance of such sustainable financial initiatives. He emphasized that Malta’s trajectory towards sustainable growth is anchored in high-quality investments that foster economic opportunities and pave the way for meaningful careers, enhancing the overall quality of life for the Maltese community.
The event was also supported by Grant Thornton. George Vella, Partner Head of Advisory provided insights into the advisory role and the future prospects of green bonds in Malta, emphasizing the potential for growth and innovation in this domain.
“Is-suċċess tat-tnedija tal-green bonds mill-WSC juru l-ħeġġa tal-investituri għal inizjattivi ħodor”- Miriam Dalli
“It-tnedija b’suċċess tal-green bonds mill-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma u wara li ġiet imniżżla fuq il-lista uffiċjali tal-Borża ta’ Malta juru l-interess qawwi tal-investituri f’inizjattivi ħodor”, qalet il-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża Miriam Dalli. Waqt li kienet qed tindirizza business breakfast organizzat mill-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma, il-Ministru Dalli qalet li l-ħruġ ta’ €25 miljun f’bonds ittieħdu fi żmien ftit sigħat mill-ħruġ tagħhom, wera l-potenzjal ta’ dan il-mudell biex jgħin jiffinanzja aktar inizjattivi ekoloġiċi. “Hemm opportunità reali biex nibnu fuq is-suċċess ta’ Green Bonds biex ngħinu lil firxa usa’ ta’ proġetti ambjentali li jistgħu jmexxu t-trasformazzjoni diġitali u ambjentali ta’ pajjiżna. Nemmen bis-sħiħ fl-importanza tal-kollaborazzjoni, u nara dan bħala biss il-bidu ta’ aktar kollaborazzjoni biex aktar riżorsi jimxu lejn investimenti sostenibbli”, qalet il-Ministru Dalli.
Il-bonds, maħruġa minn ClearFlowPlus p.l.c jammontaw għal €25 miljun, għandhom rata ta’ imgħax ta’ 4.25% u li hija mistennija li timmatura fl-2033. Id-dħul mill-green bonds tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma se jintuża għall-finanzjament ta’ firxa ta’ inizjattivi eko-konxji, inkluż l-impjant tar-reverse osmosis f’Ħondoq ir-Rummien, l-impjant ta’ solar farms, titjib fit-trattament tad-drenaġġ, tnaqqis tal-ħela tal-ilma, titjib fl-effiċjenza tal-kontijiet u titjib fl-infrastruttura tan-netwerk tal-ilma. Il-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma Karl Cilia esprima l-gratitudni tiegħu lill-investituri u lill-imsieħba. “Il-ħruġ tal-ewwel green bonds huwa eżempju ċar tad-dedikazzjoni tagħna biex nkomplu nsaħħu l-prattiċi sostenibbli f’Malta. Din hija xhieda tal-fiduċja tal-investituri fil-viżjoni tagħna għal futur aktar ekoloġiku”, qal Cilia. L-uffiċjal finanzjarju tal-Korporazzjoni, Matthew Costa, enfasizza l-kumplessità tal-finanzi tal-bonds. “Huwa ta’ min jinnota li 88% tal-green bonds kien assigurati minn investituri żgħar, li juru l-appoġġ wiesa’ u fiduċja fl-inizjattivi sostenibbli tagħna”, qal Costa.
Intant waqt il-business breakfast il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela indirizza lil dawk preżenti permezz ta’ messaġġ rekordjat minħabba impenji barra l-pajjiż. Il-Prim Ministru enfasizza l-importanza strateġika ta’ inizjattivi finanzjarji sostenibbli bħal dawn. Saħaq li t-tranżizzjoni ta’ Malta lejn it-tkabbir sostenibbli hija parti minn investimenti ta’ kwalità għolja li jrawmu opportunitajiet ekonomiċi u jwittu t-triq għal karrieri sinifikanti, li jtejbu l-kwalità tal-ħajja ġenerali għall-komunità Maltija.
L-avveniment kien appoġġjat ukoll minn Grant Thornton. George Vella, l-Imsieħeb Kap ta’ Konsulenza, ipprovda għarfien dwar l-irwol konsultattiv u l-prospetti futuri ta’ green bonds f’Malta, filwaqt li enfasizza l-potenzjal għat-tkabbir u l-innovazzjoni f’dan il-qasam.