3.2 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

Interbank offered rates (“IBORs”), such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plays a critical role in global financial markets, serving as reference rates for derivatives, loans and securities, and as parameters in the valuation of financial instruments.

Uncertainty surrounding the integrity of IBOR rates has in recent years, led regulators, central banks and market participants to work towards a transition to alternative risk-free benchmark reference rates (“RFRs”) and market-led working groups in respective jurisdictions have recommended alternative risk-free reference rates, which are gradually being adopted. Progress in the transition to these new benchmarks has resulted in significant uncertainty in the future of IBOR benchmarks beyond 1 January 2022.

Phase 1 of these reforms are effective from 1 January 2021 which mainly relates to derivatives and hedging instruments. The Group has assessed that there is no impact of the above reform on the consolidated financial statements.