Malaysia: Ekovest to issue RM3.64b Sukuk for expressway

KUALA LUMPUR: Ekovest Bhd is set to issue the largest ringgit-denominated Sukuk wakalah of RM3.64bil to fund its Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) project.

The toll road project,formerly known as the DUKE phase 3, will cost RM3.9bil with a 53 year concession period with the government.

"The issuance of Sukuk wakalah for the SPE will be among the largest issuance for a new highway construction project as well as among the highest rates AA-sukuk so far in 2016.

"The project will also be the first public private partnership project to use the government's reimbursement interest assistance (RIA) as part of the financing structure," said Minister of Finance II, Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani at the signing ceremony of the Sukuk wakalah for the SPE project.

Part of the funding of the SPE project would come from a RM560mil interest free government RIA and RM850mil equity by Ekovest. 

"Securing the financing for the SPE was the last piece of the puzzle for project. This would be the largest project that Ekovest group will undertake to date," said Ekovest managing director Datuk Seri KC Lim on Tuesday.

AmInvestment Bank Bhd is the principal advisor and lead arranger for the sukuk. The joint lead managers and joint bookrunners are AmInvestment Bank Bhd, CIMB Investment Bank Bhd, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd and RHB Investment Bank Bhd.

(The Star Online / 16 August 2016)

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Under the Radar: Sukuk bonds boom in West Africa

Long under-serviced by Islamic finance, sub-Saharan Africa, and West Africa in particular is seeing a boom in sukuk bonds. West Africa is set to benefit from more intra-regional investment and increased interest from foreign Islamic investors.

The growth of Islamic finance in recent years has seen a rapid increase in the value of ‘Islamic Economy’ – with the global shari’a-approved financial sector projected to be worth $3 trillion by 2018. While Middle Eastern and Asian countries are leading this trend, one region—Sub-Saharan Africa—remains under-serviced.

The growth of sukuk in Africa

Indeed, with over 250 million Muslims, the region is home to a quarter of world’s Muslim population, yet commands a disproportionately small fraction of Islamic financial activity. However, this is changing as sub-Saharan Africa—West Africa in particular—is seeing a marked uptick in Islamic finance, especially in the issuing of Islamic bonds, or sukuk.

Increased GDP growth rates in West Africa have led to higher demand, as nations in this region seek to diversify their lending and borrowing options. Sukuk is increasingly being used to finance development projects, as well as to increase domestic capital reserves and financial inclusion; thus aiding local small and medium-sized businesses.

Furthermore, since speculation is prohibited, and all financial activity must concern real economic activity (with all loans backed by concrete assets), sukuk in theory offers greater stability. Sukuk’s asset-backed investments and risk sharing can offer African nations more forgiving terms and insulate them from the volatility of the wider global economy.

Sukuk issuance boom in 2016

Global sukuk issuance decreased from $101.8 billion in 2014, to $66 billion in 2015. While global uncertainty played a part, the main reason was the cessation of short-term sukuk issuance by Bank Malaysia Negara, the largest issuer, with 50% global market share. This decrease was also due to saturated or unstable traditional markets (Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Libya). Despite these concerns, forecasts for 2016 see an increase to $70 billion, with West Africa playing a significant role.

Significant sukuk use is only now beginning in sub-Saharan Africa. While states such as Sudan and Gambia have issued sukuk in the past, it was in 2014 that Senegal authorized the region’s largest sukuk issuance ($200 million). 2016 has seen a host of new sukuk issuances in West Africa. On August 10th, Togo’s initial CFA 150 billion ($263 million) sukuk offering closed. This comes after Senegal launched its second $263 million round at the end of June.

The trend is likely to continue. Looking ahead, Côte d’Ivoire is planning the second phase of its CFA 300 billion ($526 million) sukuk program. Similarly, Nigeria has convened multi-agency meetings to organize its maiden sovereign sukuk issuance, expected by the end of the year. Furthermore, Kenya and South Africa are planning issuances for 2017.

Islamic investment in West Africa

As a result of sukuk’s unique traits, the IMF is promoting the regional adoption and inclusion of sukuk into African government debt strategies. The region’s Muslim population and development efforts are attracting Islamic financiers from further afield.

Interestingly, in 2014, South Africa became only the third non-Muslim country to issue sukuk; issuing Africa’s first dollar denominated sukuk ($500 million). Pretoria is targeting sukuk’s growing regional influence and is attempting to tap into investment markets in the Middle East and Asia. Specifically, South Africa’s issuance in U.S. dollars was aimed at enticing foreign investors, and is part of its attempt to position itself as a hub for the import of halal products and financial services.

Alongside newcomers to the sector, established players such as Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Corporation for Development of the Private Sector (ICD) are eyeing West Africa as a profitable frontier market. ICD is seeking to expand its business in Africa and has positioned itself as a facilitator of sukuk deals in the region: ICD was the lead arranger for both Togo and Côte d’Ivoire’s sukuk launches.

By 2017 West Africa could be the latest arena for Saudi-Iranian competition, as Iran restarts its sukuk industry following the end of sanctions. Iran has an advantage in the sukuk market in that its entire financial sector is sharia compliant. This is due to the Law for Usury Free Banking Operations, passed in 1983, which in turn makes Iranian Islamic finance compliance a legal requirement, rather than regulatory issue.

That being said, Iran is currently at a severe disadvantage versus Saudi Arabia, in that Iranian law for bids sukuk trading in foreign currencies. This is a major problem if Iran wants to compete in the international sukuk market, which is dominated by dollar transactions. This requirement has effectively shut Iran out of global markets, and its domestic demand is insufficient to raise enough capital for Tehran’s development goals.

Iran’s refusal to use foreign currencies is a two-sided issue with regards to West Africa. Firstly, as noted above, many West African issuers are issuing bonds in West African francs (CFA). This is because issuers such as Senegal are seeking to gain regional market share by promoting intra-regional trading. This is aided by the fact that the CFA is used by eight West African countries, and is guaranteed by the French treasury. The CFA also has a fixed exchange rate pegged at 655.957 CFA to the Euro.

Consequently, Iran’s refusal locks it out of a sizeable regional bloc of more than 105 million potential customers. However, industry experts are optimistic that Iran will change its stance on foreign currency denominated bond trading. Even a partial repeal of the law (say allowing some currencies such as the CFA, but not the dollar), would allow Iran to access the West African market. The widespread use of CFA makes this easier, which could see Iran becoming key partner in promoting CFA issued bonds to circumvent Iran’s own reluctance towards (and Saudi Arabia’s reliance on) dollar denominated bonds in the region.

Increased attention from international investors and growing domestic demand place West Africa in a favourable position heading into 2017. The region is likely to benefit from increased intra-regional investment, as well as better deals as competition between GCC, Iranian and Asian Islamic investors heats up.

Under the Radar uncovers political risk events around the world overlooked by mainstream media. By detecting hidden risks, we keep you ahead of the pack and ready for new opportunities.

(Global Risk Insights / 12 August 2016)

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RAM Ratings reaffirms ratings of Axis REIT Sukuk’s MYR 110.0 million first Sukuk

With the revision of RAM’s stressed refinancing rate to 8.5 per cent (from 10.0 per cent), the stressed debt-service coverage ratios (DSCRs) have increased substantially. Nevertheless, the ratings remain constrained by the loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, which are still consistent with our benchmarks for the relevant ratings.

The reaffirmation is premised on the overall stable net property income (NPI) of the portfolio, supported by the underlying properties’ strategic locations, longer-than-average lease maturities and healthy demand for the portfolio’s assets due to the shortage of comparable properties. ARSB is a special-purpose vehicle set up by Axis REIT as a funding conduit for its perpetual Islamic MTN Programme of up to MYR 3.0 billion (the Sukuk Programme). The First Sukuk – the first issuance under the Sukuk Programme – is backed by a portfolio of three industrial and industrial-office mixed properties and one retail property, i.e. Axis Steel Centre (ASC), Axis Vista (AV), Bukit Raja Distribution Centre and Tesco Bukit Indah.

The portfolio NPI of MYR 20.5 million in 2015 remained in line with our assumed NPI of MYR 20.0 million. Despite the present void at AV due to the recent departure of one of the portfolio’s six tenants (which accounted for 3.5 per cent of the portfolio’s NLA and 5.3 per cent of its revenue in 2015), we expect the portfolio’s stabilised annual NPI to remain in line with our initial assumptions. The average rental rates of the assets are still aligned with market rates while the portfolio’s adjusted capital value shows a discount of 31 per cent to its market value. Correspondingly, the cumulative LTV ratios of 43.7 per cent, 46.0 per cent, 48.3 per cent and 50.6 per cent coupled with the revised DSCRs of 2.5 times, 2.4 times, 2.2 times and 2.1 times (from 2.1, 2.0, 1.9 and 1.8 times) correspond to the respective AAA, AA1, AA2 and AA3 ratings of the Class A to Class D Sukuk.

We note overdue rentals of up to three and five months from two tenants in 2015 and 1Q 2016. However, these issues have been largely resolved – one tenant has caught up on its payments while the security deposit and auction proceeds have been used to offset the overdue rentals from the other tenant at AV. A replacement is currently being sought for the vacant space at AV. Our sensitivity analysis incorporates these factors as the basis for our reaffirmation. We have not accorded any benefit to the new lease agreement pertaining to ASC, which is currently in an advanced stage of negotiations.

The ratings are, however, moderated by limited asset diversity and significant tenant-concentration risk, as the portfolio only contains industrial-related properties, and three of the four Secured Properties are single-tenanted. These factors expose the transaction to the cyclicality of the industrial property segment and the risk of significant income loss should any of the tenants’ relocation result in protracted vacancies. Nonetheless, the fixed long-term tenancies are expected to provide cashflow visibility over the medium term. In fiscal 2015, the collective NPI of the two Secured Properties with fixed long-term tenancies amounted to almost 2.50 times of the transaction's profit obligations, and contributed close to 60 per cent of the portfolio’s rental revenue.

The ratings are also underpinned by structural features that enhance the liquidity and security of the transactions, e.g. minimum finance service coverage ratio (FSCR) requirements at the levels of both the Issuer and the sponsor, as well as other trigger mechanisms to accelerate recovery via proceeds from the disposal of the underlying portfolio. We note that the respective FSCRs of the Issuer vis-a-vis the First Sukuk and Axis REIT remained healthy at 4.04 times and 3.37 times (after adjusting for deposits related to acquisitions) as at end-2015.

(C P I Financial / 12 August 2016)

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Malaysia: MARC affirms rating on Kimanis Power RM1.16b Sukuk

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) has affirmed its AA-IS rating on Kimanis Power Sdn Bhd's (KPSB) RM1.16bil Sukuk programme with a stable outlook. 

 

It said on Wednesday the affirmed rating was backed by the favourable terms of KPSB’s 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the offtaker, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) under which demand risk is transferred to the offtaker. 

SESB is 83% owned by power giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), which has a senior unsecured debt rating of AAA/Stable. 

“The affirmed rating incorporates Kimanis power plant’s commendable operating performance in meeting PPA requirements in relation to the heat rate and unscheduled outage limit. 

“The rating also considers Petronas Gas Bhd’s 60% ownership of and substantial involvement in KPSB, the use of standard and well-proven technology and the gas sale agreement (GSA) with Petronas Gas’ parent Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) until June 2029 which mitigates fuel supply risk. 

 

KPSB owns the 285-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle gas-fired power plant at Kimanis Bay, Sabah. 

Kimanis O&M Sdn Bhd handles the operations and maintenance of the Kimanis power plant. General Electric Company (GE) is responsible for maintaining the gas turbines under a long-term contractual service agreement.

MARC said the Kimanis power plant achieved a lower load factor than the initial projection of 90% since achieving its full commercial operations date (COD) in November 2014 due to the excess capacity on the west coast of Sabah. 

Hence, KPSB had revised its load factor assumptions to 60% for the period between 2015 and 2017 in the revised budget. 

In 2015, the plant’s average load factor was 64.7% (2014: 51.2%). Its energy payment (EP) receipts of RM125.9mil were 16.4% above the budgeted amount in 2015. 

KPSB’s actual capacity payment (CP) of RM201.6mil was in line with the budgeted amount following the resolution of gas supply issues in early 2015. 

The plant’s average availability stood at 95.4% during the period under review. MARC  noted the plant’s average actual heat rates were within the PPA heat rate requirement and KPSB has achieved full pass-through of fuel costs in its first full year of operations.

KPSB recorded higher electricity sales of 1,519.6 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2015 (2014: 967.0 GWh), reflecting the full commercial operations of its three generating blocks since November 2014. 

Operating profit margin was 26.8% on the back of electricity sales of RM200.1mil and operation cost of RM166.8mil. Fuel cost per unit generated improved to 5.94 sen per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (2014: 9.82 sen/kWh) due to the lower usage of distillates. 

Net cash flow improved to RM40.2mil (2014: deficit of RM299mil) as the plant incurred lower capital expenditure of RM2mil (2014: RM318.7mil). 

Cash balance stood at RM214.3mil in 2015 while KPSB’s leverage ratio improved to 1.27 times following the repayment of its Series 2, Tranche 1 sukuk amounting to RM35mil in December 2015. 

“Going forward, MARC expects KPSB’s leverage ratio to decrease progressively with the accumulation of retained earnings and paring down of the outstanding rated sukuk.

“Under Kimanis’ updated financial projections, KPSB’s debt servicing capacity remains adequate with minimum and average finance service coverage ratios (FSCR) of 2.24 times and 3.35 times respectively during the Sukuk tenure. 

“The projections are premised on the plant load factor of 60% which will progressively step up to 90% beginning in 2020,” it said.

MARC’s sensitivity results show that KPSB’s cash flows are sensitive to reductions in CP and higher-than-projected O&M costs. 

KPSB can withstand an increase in O&M costs by 73% before breaching its FSCR covenant in 2026. 

“MARC wishes to highlight that the cash balance brought forward from 2015 amounting to RM214.3mil is sufficient to meet the financial obligations in 2016 totalling RM154.0mil.

“The stable rating outlook on the sukuk programme reflects MARC’s expectations that the power plant’s cash flow generation will be in line with projections. 

“Conversely, the rating would come under pressure if the plant’s operations underperform significantly, leading to a weakening of KPSB’s liquidity position, and/or if the offtaker’s credit profile deteriorates,” said MARC.

(The Star Online / 10 August 2016)

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Islamic Investment Malaysia: www.islamic-invest-malaysia.com

Ivory Coast returns to sovereign sukuk market, after Togo debut

Ivory Coast plans to complete a sale of 150 billion CFA francs ($263 million) worth of Islamic bonds later this month, the transaction's lead arranger said on Tuesday, following Togo's debut sale of sovereign sukuk launched last month.

The two West African nations join Senegal in tapping the market for sukuk, helping expand the use of Islamic financing options outside of the industry's core centres in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 

The Ivory Coast will sell the 7-year sukuk using a lease-based contract known as ijara, with the subscription period closing on Aug. 31, according to the Saudi-based Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD). 

This would represent the second phase of a 300 billion CFA franc sukuk programme set up last year by the world's top cocoa producer and French-speaking West Africa's economic powerhouse. Togo plans to complete the sale of its sukuk later this week, aiming to raise 150 billion CFA franc with a 10-year maturity and a 6.5 percent yield. 

The ICD is the lead arranger for both the Togo and Ivory Coast sukuk. These back-to-back deals could boost the ICD's efforts to expand its activities across Africa, where the development of Islamic finance has lagged despite being home to a quarter of the world's Muslims. Nigeria and Kenya are also planning to issue sovereign sukuk of their own, in part to help fund large infrastructure needs, although the timing for such deals has yet to be determined.

(Standard Digital / 09 August 2016)

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GCC bonds & Sukuk market gets a new life in Q2

The GCC bond and Sukuk market demonstrated improved activity in Q2 2016 especially on the sovereign front as the market witnessed prominent issuances from regional governments demonstrating appetite for debt in the region still exists. However, the lower oil prices, which has contributed to increased budget deficits and slower growth, has led to same credit deterioration such as the recent downgrade by rating agencies of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.

Bond Issuances

Q2 2016 marked one of the largest bond issuances in the region by the Government of Qatar amounting to US$9 billion, followed by the Government of Abu Dhabi amounting to US$5 billion, its first in 7 years. The Government of Qatar’s US$9 billion bond was a US$3.5 billion issuance with an issue price of 98.924% of the principal amount, a US$3.5 billion issuance with an issue price of 98.963% of the amount, and US$2 billion issuance with an issue price of 97.606% of the principal amount. The Government of Abu Dhabi issued US$5 billion of bonds with a US$2.5 billion issuance with an issue price of 99.753% of the aggregate nominal amount and a US$2.5 billion with an issue price of 99.562% of the aggregate nominal amount.

In corporate bonds issuances, Gulf International Bank BSC-Riyadh issued its US$533 million 5 year bond with a coupon rate of 3.4%, while Abu Dhabi National Energy Co PJSC (TAQA) issued a US$1 billion bond, spread into two senior notes tranches of US$500 million each, due in 5 and 10 years respectively.

Sukuk Issuances

Bank Al-Jazirasuccessfully issued a US$533 million 10 year Sukuk, with an option for the lender to redeem the Sukuk after five years.

On the sovereign front, the Central Bank of Bahrain was an active contributor in the region issuing three Sukuk Al Salam each worth US$114 million (BD 43 million) and three short term leasing type Sukuk each worth US$69 million (BD 26 million).

Steven Drake, Head of PwC’s Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services team in the Middle East region said: “Bond and Sukuk activity improved compared to the previous quarter of this year, with notable issuances from regional governments such as of Qatar and Abu Dhabi and this is expected to pick up further in the next quarter as the Kingdom prepares its first ever proposed USD 10 billion bond issuance. However, challenging market conditions and uncertainty amongst investors and issuers may impact activity for the remainder of 2016 and a surge in borrowing cost could weigh on market appetite.

(Wealth Monitor / 03 August 2016)

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Malaysia: Sukuk issuance to remain muted 6 to 18 months, says S&P

KUALA LUMPUR:  S&P Global Ratings expects Sukuk issuance will remain muted over the next six to 18 months, with total issuance of US$50bil to US$55bil in 2016.

It said on Monday that Sukuk issuance in the second half of 2016 will continue to depend on monetary policy developments and volatility in developed markets and also policy actions of sovereigns in core markets – namely Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Malaysia – in response to lower oil prices.

The ratings agency said explained that plummeting oil prices have not boosted sukuk issuance despite some commentators' expectations low oil prices would spur governments in oil-exporting countries to tap the Sukuk market for funding, and maintain current and capital spending.

Instead, total issuance actually dropped in 2015 compared with the previous year, it explained in its report entitled, “Why low oil prices aren't sending Sukuk issuance skyward”.

 

S&P Global Ratings Global head of Islamic finance Mohamed Damak said: “The complexity of Sukuk issuance, uncertainty regarding US Federal Reserves' policy revisions, and the government's efforts to reduce financing needs in response to weak oil prices have and will continue to weigh on Sukuk market activity.”

He said while governments affected by the price drop are looking to spending cuts, taxation, and the privatisation of state companies to adjust to the new reality, their financing needs remain significant.

"Part of these needs will be met by conventional debt markets and, to a much lesser extent, the Sukuk market, with the complexity of Sukuk issuance remaining a key deterrent to tapping the market, in our view," Damak said. 

At the same time, he believes the European Central Bank's quantitative easing programme and the entrance of a few new issuers to the Sukuk market will continue to support issuance volumes.

(The Star Online / 04 July 2016)

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DP World Raises $1.2 Billion From Sukuk to Fund Bond Buyback

DP World Ltd., the Dubai-owned company that operates ports from China to South America, raised $1.2 billion from the sale of Islamic bonds and said a tender offer to buy back securities received 48 percent more bids than the target.

The company sold a seven-year sukuk that will be priced to yield 237.5 basis points, or 2.375 percentage points, over the benchmark midswap rate, according to two people familiar with the deal, who asked not to be identified because the information is not public yet. The issue received more than $2.5 billion in bids, they said.

Money raised from the sale was meant to fund an offer to buy up to $750 million of DP World’s existing 2017 sukuk and for general corporate purposes, the company said earlier this month. The tender offer received $1.113 billion of valid certificates at its close on May 23 and DP World said it may buy all of them if it raises enough cash from the issue.

The offer for the 2017 securities was to pay $10,555 for every $10,000 of principal.

Bond sales from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the two biggest Arab economies of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are accelerating as governments and companies seek funds following oil’s decline in the past two years. Offerings from the region have risen 28 percent to $16.7 billion, while Qatar’s government, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways PJSC and its partners also plan to sell bonds this week. Dubai-based Noor Bank PJSC also raised $500 million from a perpetual sukuk today.

Citigroup Inc., Deutsche Bank AG, Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, HSBC Holdings Plc, Barclays Plc, Emirates NBD Capital PJSC, First Gulf Bank PJSC, JPMorgan Chase & Co., National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC and Societe Generale SA are helping arrange DP World’s issue. Noor Bank, Samba Financial Group and Union National Bank PJSC have also been appointed co-arrangers.

(Bloomberg / 24 May 2016)

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Sukuk plays important infrastructure development role

Sukuk has played a significant role in promoting resilient infrastructure and sustainable economic development, and therefore should be boosted in the future, Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro has said.

In his opening remarks at a seminar during the Islamic Development Bank ( IDB ) Group annual meeting at the Jakarta Convention Center ( JCC ) on Monday, Bambang said it was important for Islamic finance to contribute to the sustainable development goals ( SDGs ).

"Sukuk naturally controls the needs of financing, which are based on underlying assets. It also provides a protective mechanism and natural hedging, making the industry more sustainable," Bambang said.

He further said that sukuk had played a significant role in infrastructure financing. Aside from issuing sukuk for general financing, the government has issued sukuk to finance infrastructure projects, such as railways and toll roads.

"This kind of project financing assures the effectiveness of sukuk," he went on.

Bank Indonesia ( BI ) Governor Agus Martowardojo added that sukuk had been growing rapidly in the last few years. However, Islamic financing instruments must be developed.

Indonesia has been active in sukuk markets since it laid the groundwork for sukuk issuance in 2007. This year, Rp 110.9 trillion ( US$ 8.33 billion ) in sukuk was issued in the domestic and international markets, according to ministry data.

Sukuk made up 15 percent of total outstanding government securities as of April 29. It comprises six instruments across a wide range of tenors, sizes, coupons and investors. 

(The Jakarta Post / 16 May 2016)

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Bahrain Said to Raise $435 Million From Privately Placed Sukuk

Bahrain, whose junk rating was lowered by Moody’s Investors Service, tapped the dollar bond market for a second time in three months, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The Gulf nation appointed Noor Bank, Bank ABC and Kuwait Finance House to arrange a $435 million, privately placed Islamic offering, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The three-year debt will have a profit rate of 325 basis points over midswaps. Moody’s on Saturday reduced Bahrain’s long-term rating one notch to Ba2, two levels below investment grade.

The island state is attempting to shore up state finances pressured by low oil prices. Bahrain’s vulnerability to a decline in crude increased since 2009 when government expenditures started to rise in response to the global economic slowdown and civil unrest in the country. The sovereign last tapped the dollar bond market in February when it raised $600 million, a week after S&P Global Ratings cut the nation’s credit grade to junk.

Spokesmen for Bahrain’s central bank, Kuwait Finance House and Bank ABC didn’t immediately respond to calls or e-mails. No one at Noor Bank was immediately available for comment.

(Bloomberg / 15 May 2016)

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Malaysia: Sukuk market holds potential,but devoid of retail players

KUALA LUMPUR: The sukuk market has a lot of potential as an asset class, but is currently dominated by institutional investors with little opportunities for retail players, a forum was told yesterday.

OCBC’s consumer financial services chief Lim Wyson said sukuk provides predictability of yields, which is especially looked for by investors in a volatile market.

“It is not so volatile compared to equities,” he said at a talk on Islamic wealth management at the Global Islamic Finance Forum 5.0.

Lim stressed, however, that the “depth and width” of the sukuk market need to be developed.

“If you are able to widen and deepen the sukuk issuance, you can tap into the private wealth management part of the business,” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Lim said most of the time, institutional investors are the first to buy during a sukuk issuance. 

“Then there is left very little for the retail side. So one of the areas [to look into] is bigger development in terms of the number of issuance, liquidity so that retail investors have access to it,” he added.

Lim said the creations of more unit trusts with sukuk-investor type of funds will provide access for investors to participate in sukuk through a unit trust format.

“This is relating to investment mandates. Most of the syariah invested funds here are very concentrated in Malaysia or have a big allocation in Malaysia.

“What we are trying to find is more globally invested type of unit trust that is syariah-tied, that we will be able to give to our clients.

“That is the opportunity that we see, if we have more globally diversified mandates that are not so biased in terms of the heavyweight allocation to Malaysia. That is a demand seen in the market,” he added.

According to RAM Rating Services Bhd, global sukuk issuance totalled US$66.4 billion last year, with Malaysia being the world’s largest sukuk market.

In March 2015, Malaysia’s sukuk issuances accounted for 58% of the global US$308 billion outstanding sukuk.

Another speaker, Employees Provident Fund chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, said there has been limited growth in the global issuance of sukuk to certain issuing markets and issuers.

“Hopefully, if we can move away from this preoccupation with syariah financing purely on faith-based systems towards sustainability, then I think that’s the right way forward to improve growth of this market.

(The Edge Markets / 13 May 2016)

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Boubyan Bank’s sukuk issuance oversubscribed, reaches $1.3bn

Mr. Adel Abdul Wahab Al-Majed, Boubyan Bank’s Vice Chairman and CEO, stated: “Thanks to God, the Bank succeeded locally and internationally in covering the subscription in its capital enhancement sukuk which was oversubscribed by more than 5 times the targeted amount, reaching US$ 1.3 billion. This was achieved during a marketing period that did not exceed two weeks from the date of obtaining the regulatory approvals from the Capital Markets Authority and the Central Bank of Kuwait. The marketing campaign was launched by the Bank in Kuwait as well as the international financial capitals and Boubyan Bank issued US$ 250 million sukuk, priced at 100%, which will bear profit at a rate of 6.75%.”

“Succeeding in covering the sukuk issuance which aims at enhancing the capital base via Tier 1 capital instruments reflects the trust of local and international investors in the future of Boubyan Bank in light of the Bank’s achievements during the past years and its successes which encouraged such investors.”, Al-Majed added.

Al-Majed went on to add: “We take pride in our achievement not only because this represents a success for Boubyan Bank, but also because this success is similarly attributed to the Islamic financial industry, and as it highlights the investment environment in the state of Kuwait, in general, being one of the countries that enjoy the necessary elements to attract global investors in light of the availability of new opportunities such as Boubyan Bank’s sukuk.”

Al-Majed did not forget to praise the role played by Boubyan Capital, Boubyan Bank’s investment arm, whose efforts were crowned by success in managing the sukuk issuance which represented the company’s first and most important test on the international arena where the company succeeded in arranging, managing and marketing Boubyan Bank’s sukuk within record time for this important issuance and in a very professional manner.

On the other hand, Mr. Saleh Al Ateeqi, Chief Executive Officer of Boubyan Capital, stated: “Boubyan Capital believed that the first sukuk issuance to be managed by the company should be the one of Boubyan Bank because this is a very unique event, being the first issuance of sukuk in the world for the enhancement of Tier 1 Capital in compliance with the requirements of Basel III. The importance of this sukuk issuance emanates from the fact that it is the first one in Kuwait since 2007 in addition to being the first sukuk issued by a Kuwaiti Bank to enhance Tier 1 Capital.”

“Despite the circumstances surrounding the international economy and the concerns of investors which drive them away from entering into investment opportunities, the company managed, thanks to God, with its young national cadres and expertise, to market the sukuk within a record time and succeeded in managing the issuance.”, he added.

(Kuwait Times / 11 May 2016)

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Islamic Development Bank to return to ringgit sukuk market

SARAJEVO May 5 The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) plans to sell local currency Islamic bonds (sukuk) in the Malaysian market this year after a three-year hiatus, the head of the Jeddah-based multilateral lender told Reuters.

The deal would be the fourth ringgit-denominated sukuk from the AAA-rated IDB, one of the largest issuers of sukuk alongside the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia and Qatar.

"It could be both, private and public placement," IDB president Ahmad Mohamed Ali said on the sidelines of an industry conference in Sarajevo, adding that specific size and timing of the deal would depend on market conditions.

"We have a very active cooperation and relationship with Malaysia and sometimes we need to have ringgit and we will act according to the needs and issue sukuk in ringgit."

The IDB board has approved the issuance of up to 400 million ringgit ($99.9 million) in sukuk this year, from a 1 billion ringgit programme listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2008.

It has raised a total of 700 million ringgit via three sukuk transactions since then, the latter a 5-year 300 million ringgit sukuk in July of 2013.

Last year, the IDB increased the ceiling of its flagship London-listed sukuk programme to $25 billion from $10 billion, aiming to expand its financing activities.

The bank, which operates to promote economic development in Muslim countries and communities, has 56 member countries and counts Saudi Arabia, Libya and Iran as its largest shareholders.

(Reuters / 04 May 2016)

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CMA Oman's sukuk regulation aims to provide transparency

KUALA LUMPUR: Capital Market Authority of Oman (CMA Oman) recently issued new sukuk regulations that aim to provide clarity and transparency to market players, while providing protection to investors in sukuk transactions. 

At the forefront of the historical initiative is Kemal Rizadi Arbi, a Malaysian who is an adviser at CMA Oman as well as a member of the Oman government’s sukuk committee.

“It is to be noted that not all jurisdictions have specific and separate sukuk regulations, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with many just having a conventional bond regulatory framework with some additions made on the syariah requirements. 

“In addition, it has been drafted to provide flexibilities and spur innovation in the market, among others introducing a new trust regulation and structure and allowing the issuance of a sukuk programme,” said Kemal in an email to Business Times recently. 

He said the issuance of the new sukuk regulation formed an integral part of the overall strategy of the Oman CMA to enable the capital market to play a vital role as a fund-raising platform for companies in the economic development of Oman, particularly in the fixed income market, where sukuk forms an important element to further develop Oman’s Islamic capital market.

“This new sukuk regulation will form a key milestone in the evolution of the sukuk market in Oman and hopefully boost sukuk issuances, particularly from private sector players in order to meet their development and funding needs, while diversifying the financing base and risk away from the traditional banking sector,” he said.

 Kemal said sukuk issuances would also provide an essential liquidity management instrument and investment avenue for both Islamic and conventional financial institutions, investment funds and takaful/insurance operators in Oman.

“Hence, it will not only provide a wider investor base for both conventional and syariah-compliant investors, but also attract the required foreign investments into the country via foreign investors. 

“We are confident that this new regulation will have a positive impact on Oman’s capital market and the economy,”

 he said. Kemal said within three years since the issuance of the Islamic Banking Regulatory Framework in December 2012 and the establishment of two Islamic banks and six Islamic windows, the Islamic financial market in Oman has seen the launch of the new Muscat Securities Market (MSM) Syariah Index with 30 syariah-compliant listed companies.

esides that, Oman has also seen the launch of three syariah-compliant investment funds, the first Oman sovereign sukuk and also the first corporate sukuk, and the establishment of two takaful operators, including the issuance of the new takaful law. 

“This is another important milestone and will lay the foundation to boost the development of the sukuk market and Islamic finance in Oman,”

he said. According to recent media reports, several Omani companies — including financial institutions, property developers and oil firms, are exploring the feasibility of floating sukuk issues, with the new regulation on syariah compliant bond instrument in place.

The Times of Oman said this was in line with global trends where GCC states, along with Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Singapore, and Pakistan,

have issued US$11.1 billion (RM43 billion) worth of sukuk in the first three months of this year. 

“These countries are choosing to issue more of their debt as sukuk rather than conventional bonds. “These countries issued 39.3 percent of their debt as sukuk — the highest ratio of sukuk to conventional debt in eight years, based on data from Fitch Ratings,” it said.

(News Strait Times Online / 03 May 2016)

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Dubai Sukuk listings top $42bn

The value of Sukuk listings in Dubai has topped $42.61bn following the ringing of the bell by Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector yesterday for its $300m issue.

The Islamic Development Bank Group private sector arm said the total nominal value of Sukuk in the emirate was higher than any other centre globally, making it a leader in the Islamic bond sector.

“Using the funds raised by this Sukuk, we will further pursue our mission to provide financing and investment for a range of successful private enterprise projects in our member countries,” said ICD chief executive Khaled Al Aboodi.

The Islamic Devleopment Bank has seven other Sukuk outstanding on Nasdaq Dubai, following its first listing in 2014, with a total nominal value of $8.05bn.

The most recent Sukuk listed on April 14.

ICD has an authorised capital of $4bn and is jointly held by the IDB, 52 Islamic countries and five public financial institutions.

(Gulf Business / 26 April 2016)

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Dubai sukuk listings hit $42.61 billion

The total nominal value of sukuk currently listed in Dubai has now reached $42.61 billion, more than the value listed in any other centre globally and reinforcing the emirate's leadership role in the Islamic bond sector.

Khaled Al Aboodi, chief executive officer of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), on Monday rang the market-opening bell to celebrate the listing of a $300 million sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai.

The ceremony was attended by Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, secretary-general of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre and chairman of the Dubai Financial Market; Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, chairman of Nasdaq Dubai; and Hamed Ali, chief executive officer of Nasdaq Dubai.

"Using the funds raised by this sukuk, we will further pursue our mission to provide financing and investment for a range of successful private enterprise projects in our member countries. As the international exchange serving the region, Nasdaq Dubai provides us with close links to investors in and beyond the Muslim world as well as global visibility and world-class listing infrastructure," Al Aboodi said.

"Dubai is delighted to support the valuable activities of ICD by providing its capital markets infrastructure to host its sukuk. This listing by a prominent multilateral entity gives further impetus to Dubai's growth as the global capital of the Islamic economy, under the initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai," Kazim added.

The sukuk issued by ICD, the private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group, listed on April 14, 2016. IDB has seven other sukuk currently outstanding on Nasdaq Dubai that have listed since 2014, with a total nominal value of $8.05 billion.

Al Fahim said: "The exchange looks forward to welcoming many more sukuk listings from international and regional public and private sector bodies. As we continue to build critical mass in the Islamic capital markets sector, we will extend the range and scope of the services that we offer to market participants including developing new products and further strengthening our links to investors."

Ali said: "Our growing relationship with the IDB group demonstrates our commitment to serving Shariah-compliant issuers wherever they are based, providing visibility and close links with investors. We are also strengthening our ties with issuers around the world that are new entrants to the Islamic capital markets and will benefit from a relationship with the world's leading sukuk exchange.

(Khaleej Times News / 25 April 2016)

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Private firms in Oman gearing up to float Sukuk issues

Muscat: Several Omani companies, including financial institutions, property developers and oil firms, are exploring the feasibility of floating Sukuk issues, with the new regulation on Sharia-compliant bond instrument in place.

This is in line with global trends where GCC states along with Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Singapore and Pakistan, have issued $11.1 billion worth of Sukuk in the first three months of 2016. These states are choosing to issue more of their debt as Sukuk rather than conventional bonds. These countries issued 39.3 percent of their debt as Sukuk - the highest ratio of Sukuk to conventional debt in eight years, based on data from Fitch Ratings.

“We have had increased consultations with companies wanting to issue Sukuk. Some of them had wanted to wait until the regulation was out before proceeding,” Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Advisor at the Capital Market Authority, told the Times of Oman. These companies are planning to float Sukuk issues to raise funds from the market.

Kemal said the new regulation allows for the issuance of a Sukuk programme, unlike in case of bond issuance. This means that with a base prospectus and upfront approval from the CMA, a company will be able to determine the timing, amount and pricing of the Sukuk to be issued, based on the company’s funding and operational needs, and not required to issue the whole Sukuk amount all at once and this, not incurring the whole cost upfront. In addition, the new regulation allows not just SAOG and SAOC companies, but also LLC firms with a good track record to raise funds by way of a Sukuk.

Elaborating on the advantages of Sukuk over bonds, he said companies may even get better pricing in terms of their funding cost, due to greater demand and a wider investor base of both conventional and Sharia-compliant investors globally, while attracting required foreign investments into the country. “In the existing bond framework, there are some restrictions. For example, you cannot raise bonds beyond the company’s capital.”

Also, Kemal said, the regulatory authority has introduced a trust structure in the new regulation in line with other international jurisdictions, making Oman one of the few GCC countries to have this. It allows a trustee to hold assets on behalf of the Sukuk holders. In addition, there will not be any restrictions on the Sharia structure of the Sukuk, subject to the respective Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) approval of the issuer. The choice of the SSB is left to the issuer. The new regulation also allows the incorporation of an LLC as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and provides an optional rating requirement. All these have been drafted to provide flexibility and spur market players into innovation.

He said the issuance of the country’s first sovereign Sukuk and development bonds by the government will help build a yield curve for the country in order to create a pricing benchmark for issuers and to enhance secondary market activities. “Nevertheless, there needs to be continuous issuances with different maturities, not only by the government but also by government-related entities and financial institutions, to develop this market further.”

Sukuk forms an important element to further enhance Oman’s Islamic financial market and enable the capital market to play its vital role as a fundraising platform for companies, while diversifying the financing base and risk away from the traditional banking sector.

"The issuance of this new Sukuk regulation is another important milestone and will lay the foundation to spur further development of the Sukuk market and capital market for the economic development of Oman,” Kemal said.

(Times Of Oman / 24 April 2016)

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