Asia Pacific

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is mulling a return to the international bond market as it needs to raise $11bn in 2016.

In this round-up, Charles Li promises Bond Connect and RMB derivatives, ICBC sees cross-border business booming, Moscow Exchange looks to connect with Chinese investors, offshore RMB (CNH) still a top three currency on the EBS FX trading platform, and China clarifies rules for foreign banks looking to join the onshore FX market. Plus, a recap of the top GlobalRMB stories this week.

Commerzbank announced this week that it has received approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce (BAIC) to open a securities representative office in the Chinese capital.

Citigroup started marketing its first yen bonds in more than two years on Thursday after mandating banks for a five year issue in global format.

The prospect of a huge financing package to back ChemChina’s $43bn acquisition of Syngenta has left bankers guessing how the two banks arranging the funding are going to structure and distribute the debt, especially as the lenders are working under separate mandates. Despite their size, the loans are expected to be well supported thanks to abundant liquidity in Europe and the target’s strong credentials, writes Shruti Chaturvedi.

Two acquisition financings are due to hit general syndication after Chinese New Year. One is a loan for Baring Private Equity Asia’s acquisition of HCP Global, and the other is for Singha Asia, which is buying stakes in two companies from Vietnam’s Masan through the issue of new capital.

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology raised €400m in its international bond debut on Wednesday, in what was the second euro-denominated trade by a Chinese issuer this year. But unlike China Development Bank’s (CDB) deal last week, there was little European demand for Hikvision.

Credit Suisse announced its full year results for 2015 this week with the Swiss lender reporting pre-tax losses of Sfr2.42bn ($2.39bn). However its Asia Pacific business was one of the standout performers posting a pre-tax gain.

Myanmar held the first session of its new parliament this week, its first democratically elected legislature in over 50 years. The country is also preparing for a similarly rare event in its capital markets, with regulators set to name the first company to be allowed to float on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX). Jonathan Breen reports.

Citigroup could issue its first yen bonds in over two years this week, after mandating banks for a five year issue in global format.

China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (Safe) has relaxed the rules on the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) scheme in another attempt to encourage inbound investment by offshore market participants. The move comes at a time when China has shut down the majority of its outbound investment schemes.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group took advantage of improved market conditions on Thursday to launch a new three year £500m floating rate covered bond. The funding was more competitive than what it could have achieved in the euro market.