ADB's rupee-linked bond raises Rs 300 cr

Multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised Rs 300 crore or $50 million from its maiden issuance of offshore Indian rupee-linked bonds. The issuance is the first bond issued under ADB’s $500 million offshore rupee-linked bond programme and aims to deepen India’s capital markets, ABD said in a release.  “There is clear demand for bonds linked to the Indian economy, Asia’s third largest, and the reception to ADB’s inaugural rupee-linked bond is reflective of this,” said Kazuki Fukunaga, deputy treasurer, ADB.

"ADB is committed to supporting development and poverty reduction in India through financing private sector projects such as those related to infrastructure and the financial sector and developing India's capital markets," said Fukunaga.

The bonds, denominated in Indian rupees but settled in US dollars, will have a coupon of 6.35% and will mature on 17 August 2016.

ADB said 13% of the bonds were placed in Asia; 42% in Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and 46% in the Americas.

By investor type, 10% of the bonds went to central banks, 39% to banks, and 51% to fund managers.

India is ADB's fourth largest shareholder and is its largest borrower, excluding co-financing.

ADB plans to raise $12-13 billion from the bond markets in 2014.