More than 1.4 million are handed out in real estate investment trust launch
More than 1.4 million application forms were handed out yesterday as Hongkongers rushed to join the $20 billion-plus offering of shares in the government's Link real estate investment trust (reit).
Some 200 people were waiting outside an HSBC branch in Mongkok shortly before 9am, when the public offer was launched. The reit covers 950,000 square metres of retail space and 79,000 parking spaces.
'I have been buying stocks for more than 10 years. I think the stocks will do well because it is introduced by the government. It should do well just like the MTR Corp privatisation,' said Mr Wong Kei, 81. 'The interest rate is so low now, I think it is better to buy some stocks.'
More than 100 lined up outside another branch in Kwun Tong.
About 4.5 million application forms were printed for distribution at 60 branches of HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Bank of East Asia, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of China. The offer ends at noon on Thursday.