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Air Liquide’s relationship group received exclusive access to its $12bn bridge facility on Thursday, as the company resisted approaches by outsiders.

France is looking to lock in ultra-long dated funding in 2016 with its first syndication above 32 years since 2010.

The US Federal Reserve finally raised interest rates this week for the first time in nearly a decade, bringing some welcome relief to the market. Although the hike was in line with expectations, observers believe the first few bonds in January will be key in determining the direction of the Asian debt capital market, writes Narae Kim.

Asia’s equity capital market is beginning to wind down after enduring its most difficult period in years. As bankers turn the page on 2015 and some high profile trades get lined up for next year, market watchers are hoping that things won’t be so volatile in 2016. John Loh reports.

India's Azure Power Global is seeking approval to float on the New York Stock Exchange, having a filed a preliminary prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday.

Fosun Group has hit the limelight following the disappearance and re-appearance of its co-founder chairman Guo Guangchang, who is understood to be assisting Chinese authorities with an investigation. The news has delayed an ongoing syndicated loan for an affiliated company and has prompted bankers to say they will take a more cautious approach towards privately owned Chinese borrowers. Shruti Chaturvedi reports.

More cross-border RMB activities can be expected as the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has approved Rmb50bn ($774m) of RQFII quota to Thailand, and agreed with Russia to deepen bilateral financial co-operations, including facilitating the Russian government to issue Panda bond in China.

South Korea’s stock market regulator has relaxed rules governing lock-up periods, which until now had banned certain shareholders from selling their shares for six months after an IPO. The amendments come as the Korea Exchange tries to make the listing process easier and encourage more floats on its bourse.

Bank of Zhengzhou has raised HK$5.08bn ($656m) via its Hong Kong IPO after pricing at the floor of its range on Wednesday.

Xinte Energy Co has opened books for one of Hong Kong’s last IPOs of the year, with a little over half of the HK$1.36bn ($175.4m) listing covered by cornerstone demand.

A $200m equivalent borrowing for Yue Xiu Enterprises has been launched into syndication with one bank at the helm.

Indian hospital chain Narayana Hrudayalaya launched bookbuilding for its Rp6.13bn ($92m) IPO on Thursday, bagging the Singapore sovereign among its anchor investors.