REC to launch global medium-term notes on India INX's arm GSM

State-run Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has become the latest issuer to launch its global medium-term notes programme at the Global Securities Market (GSM), a leading primary market platform for raising funds from global investors.

GSM is an arm of the BSE's international exchange India INX.

REC on Monday chose to launch its USD 5-billion global medium-term-note (GMTN) programme, taking the total MTN programme this year to around USD 36 billion.

Meanwhile, international rating agency Moody's assigned Baa3 to ratings to REC' debt issue which is part of its USD 5 billion MTN drawdown.

India INX chief V Balasubramaniam said MTN programmes are one of the fastest growing segments within the exchange.

Sounding very positive about the business, he added the recent waiver of withholding tax for masala bonds, will help more issuers to tap the global bond market in the near-term.

Since its launch in January 2018 Global Securities Market has emerged as the largest listing platform for bonds at the Gift City IFSC.

MTN programmes established on its platform has touched USD 35.8 billion and bond issuances of USD 6.27 billion. Other notable issuers include NTPC, IRFC, Exim Bank, NHAI, SBI and Yes Bank.

India INX is the country's first international exchange launched in January 2017 at the Gift City IFSC and is the first exchange to introduce a single platform across multi-assets, equities, commodities, currencies and interest rate derivatives. It is also the first exchange to launch gold options, and its derivatives trading volume has crossed USD 120 billion as on date with over 7.8 million contracts traded.