Oman

Books opened on Wednesday on the year’s first bumper Gulf sovereign deal, a triple trancher from Oman that is expected to raise at least $2bn and extend the borrower’s curve by more than 20 years. But an even bigger sovereign deal from the Gulf is waiting in the wings.

Oman has named seven banks to arrange an Islamic bond which it will bring to market shortly after the close of its planned triple tranche conventional bond, according to sources.

Oman, looking to extend its curve by just over 20 years, will hit the road on Friday. Technical factors underpinning the market are expected to propel the trade despite underlying questions about the Sultanate’s ability to manage its budget deficit.

With four big loan deals already in the market for Omani borrowers this year and more expected, bankers are concerned that lenders could fast run up against country limits. With a big hole to plug in Oman's budget, spillover to the bond market looks inevitable, writes Bianca Boorer.

Oman’s sovereign wealth fund is in the market for a $600m loan to support its acquisition of a stake in Oman Telecommunications, and is tapping Asian liquidity for the first time. With several Gulf nations making efforts to contain budget deficits, including by selling assets, borrowers from the region could be ones to watch. Shruti Chaturvedi reports.

The sovereign wealth fund of Oman is seeking to establish relationships with regional banks in Asia through a $600m syndicated loan to fund its acquisition of a stake in Oman Telecommunications.

If “keeping one’s cards close to one’s chest” in negotiations while also acknowledging the need for market certainty seems like a peculiarly Brexit paradox, try managing the funding plans of a Gulf state as it tries to deal with a budget deficit.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region looks set to provide a hotbed of loans market activity in the first half of 2017, with bankers sizing up a strong pipeline out of Oman as the sultanate looks to address a budget deficit.

Oman Oil and Bank Muscat are set to kick off a rash of loans in the sultanate in the coming months, with a number of state owned entities in discussion with lenders as the government looks to address a budget deficit.

Bank Muscat is preparing to refinance a $600m loan maturing in April next year and will likely aim to raise the same amount with its new facility, said one banker.

Several loans from Omani credits are being tipped to be launched this year, but, after several large deals, some bankers have concerns that lending appetite is waning.

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