Saudi Arabia grows up fast with $12.5bn syndicated success

Saudi Arabia does not come to market often, but when it does, it does so in size — as this week’s $12.5bn sale proved. In the last 12 months, the Gulf state has raised more in dollar or euro syndications than any other sovereign. The issuer has shown remarkable commitment to weaning its economy off petrodollars as it enlists capital markets to help it plug a $53bn deficit, writes Virginia Furness.