The value of bonds issued in Macao in the first half of this year was more than 50 percent of the total for all of 2022 and currently stands at 502 billion patacas.
Some 160.7 billion has been denominated in Chinese yuan, according to local media reports citing figures from the China (Macau) Financial Asset Exchange (MOX).
Around 21.8 billion patacas worth of bonds have meanwhile been issued via a dual listing mechanism established with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in 2021.
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The new MOX data shows that Macau is ahead of Singapore in terms of international bond issues and is the the third largest listing jurisdiction for Asian issuers, behind Hong Kong and Luxembourg.
In April, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng told lawmakers that the territory would “proactively promote” the emergence of a local bond market.
The bid to foster financial services forms a key part of Macao’s plans to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on gaming.
