Hong Kong, China will contribute USD10 million to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) Project Preparation Special Fund, according to AIIB President Jin Liqun and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The fund provides grant support to low-income members of AIIB to help them prepare high-quality infrastructure projects.

Low-income countries can struggle to prepare bankable projects due to financial and technical constraints. Grants from the fund will allow them to secure consulting services for conducting feasibility reviews, environmental, financial and legal assessments and to procure equipment or training. Special fund grants help to make projects financially sustainable, environmentally friendly and acceptable by local communities, which in turn improves the overall bankability of projects and their chances for obtaining AIIB financing.

"We express our great appreciation to Hong Kong for their strong support to AIIB," said AIIB President Jin. "The fund is already helping our members prepare high-quality projects. Hong Kong’s contribution is very welcome as it will further enhance our resources to prepare bankable infrastructure projects in low-income countries."

"AIIB is helping countries in Asia plug the infrastructure investment gap," said HKSAR Chief Executive Lam. "We are pleased to support AIIB and believe that our contribution to the fund will play a useful role in realizing AIIB’s mission."

AIIB has approved a total of USD4.395 million grants for five special fund projects in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Lao PDR. More projects are being considered.

The Rules and Regulations for the AIIB Special Fund were approved by AIIB’s Board of Directors on June 24, 2016. China committed USD50 million to the fund while the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom committed USD8 million and USD50 million respectively. The contribution from Hong Kong, China will take the total commitments to USD118 million. The fund is open for additional contributions.

For more information about the AIIB Special Fund, please visit aiib.org.

About AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond. Headquartered in Beijing, we began operations in January 2016 and have now grown to 87 approved members from around the world. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors today, we will better connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.