Under the scheme, Asian currency bonds are issued in their domestic markets under a single unified framework with a common set of documents governed by English law, the Philippines-based ADB said in a statement.

To launch the platform, ADB is issuing 300 million Singapore-dollar denominated five-year notes and one billion in Hong Kong dollar notes.

DBS is the mandated regional arranger for the programme and sole lead manager and bookrunner for the Singapore dollar issue. HSBC is the bookrunner and sole lead manager for the Hong Kong dollar issue.

"The programme is a significant milestone for Asian capital market development and for the ADB," ADB vice president Khempheng Pholsena said in the statement.

The ADB said the programme is structured to accommodate other markets in the region once regulatory approval is obtained.

"We hope that this programme will contribute to creating a unified platform which will eventually include the entire region," said ADB treasurer Mikio Kashiwagi.

"In our view, the programme signals the potential for Asian capital markets to address Asias own large funding needs."

DBS chief executive Jackson Tai said Asia is becoming the center-stage for capital formation and is increasingly providing funds for the rest of the world.