On December 30, 2010, General Manager Hua Bing of the Legal and Compliance Department of IB attended the “Exchange Conference on the Green Credit Practices of Sino-foreign Banks” hosted by the China Banking Regulatory Commission, introducing the practice and exploration of IB in the area of sustainability. The following Institutions attended the conference: the sponsor, China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), four Chinese banks including China Development Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Export-Import Bank of China, and Industrial Bank, and six Equator Principles Financial Institutions including Citibank, Barclays Bank, Mizuho Corporate Bank, the Standard Bank of South Africa, and the Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as the International Finance Corporation.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for foreign banks to take the experiences of Chinese banks in the green credit and management of environmental and social risks and to exchange good practices worldwide. At the conference, Citibank, on behalf of the Equator Principles Financial Institutions, extended its appreciation and thanks to the CBRC for its efforts in driving the implementation of the Equator Principles in China. It believes that the Equator Principles aid China’s sustainable develpment and hoped that there would be more and more Chinese-funded banks adopting the Equator Principles. The Equator Principles Financial Institutions were more than willing to assist banks in China in all aspects, especially in the training of capacity construction.

Four Chinese banks respectively introduced their practices and exploration in the field of green credit. IB gave an introduction from four perspectives: the significance of the Equator Principles to the current environment-oriented credit policy of the banking industry, IB’s practice and exploration in sustainability, project cases applicable to the Equator Principles and difficulties in the implementation of the Equator Principles and suggestions. IB also stated that it would bring more benefits than disadvantages. As far as the practice of IB is concerned, their customers generally showed strong understanding and support for the Equator Principles in the present applicable projects. This opinion won unanimous endorsement from the Equator Principles Financial Institutions in attendance.

In addition, all institutions both at home and abroad showed a strong interest and intent for closer cooperation in project financing and research and promotion of the Equator Principles in the future.