CC and Freshfields join fight to win HK government securitisation

Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are among a number of City firms pitching to advise the Hong Kong government on its first ever securitisation.

The securitisation of the toll revenue from five tunnels and a bridge, which are expected to raise HK$6bn (£408m), is part of a HK$21bn (£1.43bn) fund raising exercise by the Hong Kong government to cut its budget deficit.

The government will retain ownership of the toll roads, including control over the arrangements with operators. The rights to the revenue from the toll roads will fully revert to the government at the end of the securitisation period.

A decision on the appointment is expected later this month.

It has been reported that the government has also proposed selling loans owned by the Housing Authority to Hong Kong Mortgage Corp to raise HK$10.9bn (£741.2m). It is also preparing work on the proposed privatisation of the Airport Authority and the merger between Kowloon Canton Railway Corp and the MTR Corp.