FinMin closed a USD 12 bn (SAR 45 bn) international bond issuance, its first of the year, the National Debt Management Center said in a statement. The issuance was 3x oversubscribed, booking some USD 37 bn in orders, and comes as part of the government’s Global Medium-Term Note Issuance Program that aims to diversify the Kingdom’s creditor base by tapping fresh foreign lenders.

The bond issuance was divided into three tranches:

  • A 3-year tranche valued at SAR 18.75 bn (USD 5 bn), set to mature in 2028;
  • A 6-year tranche valued at USD 3 bn (SAR 11.25 bn), set to mature in 2031;
  • A 10-year tranche valued at USD 4 bn (SAR 15 bn), set to mature in 2035.

Yields were reportedly priced at 5.18% for the three-year tranche, 5.44% for the six-year tranche, and 5.73% for the 10-year tranche, according to Bloomberg.

ADVISORS- Citigroup, Goldman Sachs Group, and JPMorgan Chase reportedly managed the offering.

IN CONTEXT- Finance Minister Mohamed Jadaan approved the Kingdom’s borrowing plan for FY 2025 earlier this week, which outlined a requirement for some SAR 139 bn in new public debt. The targeted amount is intended to bridge an anticipated SAR 101 bn budget deficit penciled in for the new fiscal year, in addition to covering some SAR 38 bn required to meet principals’ repayments for loans maturing during the period. The borrowing spree comes as the Kingdom seeks to take advantage of the interest rate reversal and lower borrowing costs as it looks to fund its diversification agenda while avoiding raising taxes.

ICYMI- The National Debt Management Center (NDMC) also secured a USD 2.5 bn (SAR 9.4bn) shariah-compliant revolving credit facility earlier this week to support the state budget. The three-year facility sees participation from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Credit Agricole SA and Dubai Islamic Bank.

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