Policy & Government
Brazil’s Infrastructure Ministry Launches Region’s First Green Bond Rail Funding Programme
Brazil’s Ministry of Infrastructure has launched a green bond programme that will see the proceeds used to finance transport projects throughout the country, a first for the region.
11 Jun 2020
IMF Green-Lights USD5bn Standby Arrangement for Ukraine, a Key Milestone Amidst a Long-Awaited Turnaround
The IMF has approved a USD5bn funding programme with Ukraine following the passage of a series of reforms aimed at the country’s banking and agricultural sectors, an important milestone in the country’s bid to regain a strong economic footing after years of turbulence.
10 Jun 2020
Slew of Downgrades in India May Clash with Efforts to Attract International Bond Investors
India entered the COVID-19 crisis with a slew of pre-existing vulnerabilities. Now, with the country wracked by the impact of the virus, Moody’s has downgraded a number of notable Indian institutions, joining other rating agencies in placing the sovereign within touching distance junk status.
3 Jun 2020
Fall in SAMA’s Reserves Due to Asset Transfer to PIF – Goldman Sachs
April saw foreign exchange reserves at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) continue to fall by an additional USD24.7bn, with the total decline over March and April now totalling some USD48.7bn. This was largely due to a liquidity injection into the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
2 Jun 2020
Chile Follows Peru in Securing USD23.9bn Two-Year Credit Line from IMF
The IMF has approved a USD23.93bn two-year credit line for Chile, the latest Latin American country to turn to the multilateral agency for help bolstering fiscal buffers in a bid to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
1 Jun 2020
Peru Secures USD11bn Two-Year Credit Line from IMF
The IMF has approved a USD11bn flexible credit line with the Peru to help the Latin American nation cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its economy.
29 May 2020
GCC Debt Sees Strong Demand in Q2 But Worsening Outlook Raises Alarms
GCC sovereign bond issuance surged to USD26bn and attracted more than USD140bn in demand through the second quarter of this year as the region’s governments flocked to international markets to cover deficits sent wider by lower oil prices and depressed economic activity. Some analysts say investors should not be so quick to shrug off some of the macroeconomic pressures weighing on the region.
29 May 2020
Intellidex: South Africa Should Issue a Social Bond to Finance Pandemic Support
South Africa should explore the possibility of issuing a social bond to help finance programmes aimed at countering the impact of COVID-19, according to a recent paper published by a group of economists.
28 May 2020
Philippines gets USD400mn from ADB to Boost Capital Markets, Infrastructure Development
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD400mn loan for the Philippines this week, with the proceeds going towards supporting a range of policy initiatives including the development of domestic capital markets and infrastructure-linked debt.
26 May 2020
Jordan Secures USD396mn from IMF to Tackle Rising COVID-19 Costs
The IMF has approved USD396mn in fresh funding for Jordan as the Kingdom looks for additional support to plug a growing fiscal deficit stretched even wider by the coronavirus pandemic.
22 May 2020