The first batch of Renminbi treasury bonds, valued at 6 billion yuan, is expected to be issued in Hong Kong on September 28, China'a Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced on Thursday.

Of the total amount, no less than 2 billion yuan (293 million U.S. dollars) will be for retail sales.

It was the first time the central government has issued yuan-denominated treasury bonds outside the Chinese mainland.

The aim of issuing the bonds to individuals and institutions in Hong Kong is to strengthen financial cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, and boost Hong Kong's economic growth, said an official with the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

According to the MOF, the 2-year bonds will be mainly offered to individual investors, while the 5-year bonds will be for institutional investors. Both the individual and institutional investors can buy the 3-year bonds.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2009)