Asia Pacific

China Hongqiao Group is in the market for a $700m three year loan that was opened for syndication this week via seven bookrunners, according to bankers working on the deal.

In this round-up, China's central bank appoints a new deputy governor, first foreign banks with direct access to China’s onshore foreign exchange market are named, the first RMB certificates of deposits (CDs) settle in the US, and eight new RMB qualified foreign institutional investor (RQFII) licences. Plus, a recap of our stories this week.

The chief executive of Morgan Stanley Huaxin Securities Co, the US bank’s joint venture in China, has left the firm.

China Oceanwide Holdings has added $200m to its five year bond issued last year, taking advantage of the note’s strong performance in the aftermarket.

The Indian government has shortlisted five banks to pitch for lead roles in its sell-down of iron ore miner NMDC, in a deal that could raise Rp35.6bn ($527.5m) based on its market capitalisation, according to a notice from the Department of Disinvestment on Thursday.

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) is likely to issue its planned onshore bond denominated in special drawing rights (SDR) as a multi-currency structured note, according to industry participants.

UniCredit has appointed Amit Dewan to the newly created position of head of financing and advisory for Asia Pacific, furthering bolstering the bank’s operations in the region.

China’s Midea Group is looking to gauge interest for its maiden outing to the international bond market, just days after announcing a multi-billion-euro acquisition in Germany.

Singapore's DBS is looking to expand its covered bond investor base and has now set its sights on an Australian dollar offering.

Norwegian issuer SR Boligkreditt and New Zealand borrower Westpac NZ will both take new euro deals on the road before the end of May, and the UK’s TSB has confirmed covered bonds will form part of its long term funding.

Danske Bank has filed to sell its first bonds on the Tokyo Pro-Bond market, as the yen sector looks set to get off the ground in 2016.

Mitra Pinasthika Mustika Finance is poised to launch a $100m borrowing into syndication next week, with the Indonesian firm having mandated a trio of banks to arrange the deal.