Zain Saudi gets state backing on junior refi

Giorgio Magini

Mobile telecoms firm Zain Saudi has signed a Sr2.25bn ($600m) government-guaranteed three year Islamic financing facility. Saudi Arabia’s decision to provide an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for Zain suggests that Gulf countries are becoming more willing to support the telecom sector, said Fitch in a research note, raising the possibility of cross border mergers.