Slaughter and May advised Link Asset Management Limited on its HK$12 billion sustainability-linked loan facility, being the largest of its kind in the real estate sector and among REITs in Asia

Slaughter and May, Hong Kong, advised Link Asset Management Limited (Link), the manager of Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT), on its HK$12 billion sustainability-linked loan facility with 16 leading international, regional and local banks (SLL).  The SLL is the largest of its kind in the real estate sector and among REITs in Asia to-date. 

The SLL is directly tethered to Link’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies and related targets, which include engaging its tenants in developing Green Leases, engaging contractors and other service providers to provide local employment opportunities as a means to promote upward social mobility, and upgrading its Net Zero strategy in pursuance of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net Zero Standard. The SLL incorporates interest rate reductions linked to sustainability performance targets, which will allow Link to enjoy savings in borrowing costs as it achieves these targets through its portfolio in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Link REIT is a collective investment scheme authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong whose units are listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Link REIT, managed by the Link, currently has a diversified portfolio which primarily comprises retail and office properties and car parking spaces in China (both Mainland and Hong Kong), Australia and the United Kingdom.