Melco Resorts says it is listing on Macau’s bond market, a series of senior notes issued earlier by a subsidiary of the gaming firm. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Melco Resorts and is “in support” of efforts at local and national level to promote Macau as a financial centre.

The senior notes to be listed on the Macau bond exchange were issued by Melco Resorts’ unit Melco Resorts Finance Limited in December 2019 and January 2021. The 5.375% senior notes are due in 2029.

Macau has pledged to diversify its economy beyond tourism and casino gambling, including via the creation of a market for financial services.

Listing of, and permission to deal in, the Melco Resorts notes were granted by the Chongwa Financial Asset Exchange effective on June 29, said Melco Resorts.

Melco Resorts’ chairman and chief executive, Lawrence Ho, said the firm “gladly supports the diversified development of local Macau industries” through the company’s “wide-reaching series of corporate social responsibility initiatives.”

In May, SJM Holdings said it had completed a listing on the Chongwa Financial Asset Exchange of senior notes at 3.90% interest and due in 2026, to the value of HKD1.25 billion and MOP300 million respectively.

SJM Holdings said at the time the move was “the first time that a major tourism business in Macau has issued debt instruments for listing” on the Macao exchange.

Also in May, MGM China Holdings said that its US$750-million in 4.75% senior notes due in 2027 had also been listed on Macau’s bond market.

Editing by Rachel Hu