The Shanghai Gold Exchange is working together with gold producers, securities brokerage houses and banks in preparation for the launch of gold bonds, the Securities Times reported yesterday.

Gold bonds are issued by gold mining firms and guaranteed by a certain amount of gold they produce within a certain period of time in the future. The interest rate of gold bonds is made up of a basic rate and a floating one. The latter is linked with the gold price of the date of maturity. The maturation of the bonds can be three years, five years or 10 years.

In recent discussions at a conference of Shanghai Gold Exchange members, the exchange expressed hopes that gold mining corporations like Zhongjin Gold Co and Shandong Zhaojin Gold Co can work with brokers and banks in developing gold bond products.

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Sources say last year, ICBC made contact with executives of Zhongjin Gold Co about the bond issue, and both showed great interest. It is expected that Zhongjin may become the first to issue gold bonds.

Meanwhile, Shenyin Wanguo Securities Co recently became the first securities company approved as a Shanghai Gold Exchange member. The exchange plans to take in more securities companies in an effort to build an underwriting system for gold bonds issuance.

Preparations for gold bond issuance began last year, when Shenyin Wanguo Securities Co, joined by institutions like Shanghai Gold Exchange and Shanghai Financial Service Office put forward a gold coupon issuance plan. In December of 2006, Shenyin Wanguo formally applied to the China Securities Regulatory Commission to conduct gold bond business. The application was approved recently.

According to industry insiders, although details concerning the bond issuer's qualification and issuing quota are subject to the approval of the National Development and Reform Commission, there are no policy-related barriers for gold bond issuance.

"As the world's third-largest gold producer, China has a huge potential in gold production. The increasing financial needs of gold producers promise a bright future for gold bonds," said Song Yuqin, vice manager of the Shanghai Gold Exchange.

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