Over 4 million application forms to buy shares in the worlds largest real estate investment trust (REIT) have been printed due to huge demand in Hong Kong. The REIT, which will go public on the Hong Kong exchange in one weeks time, on December 16 - consists of 180 government owned properties.

Prospective investors are appealed by the fact that REITs should offer a high dividend yield in comparison to the low rate of 0.01% paid on Hong Kong bank deposits. The Link Management Ltd, which manages the Link REIT are promising dividend yields as high as 6.85%.

The Link REIT has 950,000 square meters (roughly 2.85 million sq. ft.) of retail space and 79,000 parking spaces in Hong Kong. Link Management are to sell 1.97 billion units, however there is a chance that Link Management may opt to sell a further 216.7 million units based on future demand. Such a move would boost the IPO into $3 billion territory.