IslamicFinance.de

Hashem Kalantari reported in Forbes that Iran plans to issue USD 12.3 bn of foreign currency and rial-denominated bonds over the next three years to help finance the development of its major South Pars gas field in the Gulf.

Indonesian shipping firm, PT Berlian Laju Tanker Tbk , in a prospectus published in Bisnis Indonesia newspaper, the firm said it plans to sell 400 billion rupiah of conventional bonds and 100 billion rupiah of ijarah sale-and-leaseback sukuk, which will be offered May 20-25.

It has appointed PT Danatama Makmur and PT Andalan Artha Advisindo Sekuritas as underwriters.

Sukuk sales in Asian currencies may jump in the next 6 months as companies compare borrowing costs and investors become more willing to accept risk in addition to favorable USD versus local currency credit spreads, according to CIMB.

The debt market in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) has the potential to grow to $USD 1.6 trillion p.a. but currently remains in its nascent stage, according to economic experts speaking at an event organised by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Debt securities form just 3 % of of the Mena capital markets, while global capital markets have a ratio of 42 %.

Nasser Al Sheikh, Dubai said that it received interest from sovereign wealth funds for the second tranche of the USD 20 bn bond, which will only be issued if needed.

The UK government could turn to Islamic investors to finance part of its debt if market conditions improve, Business Minister Ian Pearson told Reuters in an interview wrote Cecilia Valente.

The UK government was expected to announce an Islamic-compliant short-term debt programme of up to 2 billion pounds ($3.03 billion), but in November the pre-budget report shelved the plans, citing deteriorating markets.

Investment Dar failed to pay a “periodic distribution” due on April 27 to holders of its Sukuk maturing in 2010.

The Dubai Financial Market has finalised comprehensive standards to be established for the issuance of Sukuk and awaiting approval of authorities.

Dubai’s Nakheel receives bail-out cash, but the amount is not disclosed, reported Simeon Kerr in the Financial Times; it is also said that Nakheel was restructuring some payment plans with suppliers.

Contractors say developers such as Nakheel have started to honour some – but not all – payments, after months of delay.

The new yearbook includes Standard & Poor’s latest analysis and rating methodologies on almost 40 rated Islamic debt issues and issuers, and an overview of its suite of global benchmark and investable Sharia indices.

While total global sukuk issuance more than halved to $14.9 billion in 2008 from $34 billion in the previous year, Standard & Poor’s believes the outlook for Islamic finance remains strong. Sharia-compliant assets now total about $700 billion after growth exceeding 10% annually during the past decade.

Full 70+ pages report for free download at:

http://www.gcc.standardandpoors.com/islamic_finance/Islamic%20Finance%20Outlook%202009%20(12).pdf

Dubai Islamic Bank offered to buy back up to USD 200 mn of sukuk. Pricing shall be at least 86 % of face value, but not more than 90 % determined by an auction.

Dubai Islamic has USD 750 mn of sukuk due 2012.

Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank (IDB), plans to sell USD 500 mn Sukuk by end of June, reported Shanty Nambiar on Bloomberg. The Jeddah-based bank plans to raise as much as USD 5 bn over the next 5 years through 2014 to fund the bank's projects in member countries.

IDB also plans to start a new USD 1.5 bn to USD 2 bn infrastructure fund funded by public and privat sector as joint investors.

High Financing Costs May Crimp Future Issuance Of Project And Infrastructure Sukuk In The Gulf

LONDON, April 28, 2009--The global slowdown, along with local macroeconomic factors, appears to have curtailed the anticipated growth of sukuk (including those for infrastructure and project finance) in the Gulf region, says a report published by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services titled "Islamic Sukuk Come Of Age In Infrastructure And Project Finance." What's more, investor appetite for these instruments may continue to be adversely affected by the high costs of financing, predominantly local investor appeal, a real estate downturn, hydrocarbon prices, and accounting issues.

EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd, Malaysia hopes to raise about RM 80 mn to RM 100 mn through the issuance of Sukuk by year-end to finance the building of two high rise buildings on top of the mall as well as the mall’s refurbishment, reported Shannen Won in The Star Malaysia.

In the coming weeks, Malta will be explored by a large institution for its potential to the introduction of the Sukuk

Any organisation interested in participating in an information session being organised with the visiting institution or in having one to one meetings are invited to send an email to Reuben Buttigieg on rbuttigieg@maltamanagement.com

Malaysia's retail Sukuk was a success and oversubscribed, now a second tranche is in preparation.

New sales of Islamic bonds or sukuk, by Asian governments such as Indonesia are revitalising the market, ratings agency Moody’s said in a report, wrote Uta Harnischfeger in The National. Last week, the government of Indonesia issued its first international dollar sukuk, raising US$650 million (Dh2.3bn). The Sukuk was seven times oversubscribed.

Indonesia's forthcoming Global Sukuk has been assigned a foreign currency rating of Ba3 with a stable outlook by Moody's Investors Service.

Sukuk trading is about to start this year in Saudi according to the chairman of the capital market authority, Dr Abdulrahman Al Tuwaijri.

Danga Capital Bhd., a special purpose vehicle set up by the Malaysia government, raised a Sukuk, offering to MYR 1.6 bn (USD 443 mn) from MYR 1 bn. The 5-year tranche was priced at 4.22 % and the 7-year tranche at 4.49 % at the higher-end of the price guidance.

RAM Ratings has a AAA rating on Danga's planned MYR10 billion program with a long-term stable outlook.

CIMB Investment Bank Bhd. and AmInvestment Bank Bhd. are the joint lead managers and lead arrangers for the issue.