logo
The Arab Energy Fund successfully prices its inaugural landmark 3-year USD bond

The Arab Energy Fund successfully prices its inaugural landmark 3-year USD bond

Zawya6 hours ago

​​​​​​ RIYADH – The Arab Energy Fund (TAEF), a leading multilateral impact financial institution serving the MENA energy sector, has successfully priced a USD 600 million, 3-year bond issuance, reflecting strong performance despite a challenging geopolitical backdrop.
The transaction attracted significant investor interest, enabling the Fund to upsize the offering from its originally planned USD 500 million. This strong demand resulted in a competitive pricing outcome, which was significantly within the secondary pricing levels.
'This transaction reflects both the strength of our credit profile and the growing confidence global investors place in our strategy and governance,' said Vicky Bhatia, Chief Financial Officer of The Arab Energy Fund. 'Executing this deal under such market conditions is a testament to our investor relationships and disciplined approach to capital markets.'
Transaction Highlights:
TAEF's inaugural public 3-year bond issuance, supporting the development of a benchmark pricing curve for this tenor.
Achieved highly competitive pricing of SOFR +50bps, despite secondary market spreads being significantly wider.
Strong demand from global investors, including notable participation from high quality investor base represented by Global Central Banks and SSA institutions.
Intra-day execution strategy ensured optimal timing and minimized market exposure.
Proceeds from the issuance will support TAEF's business growth plans, in line with its mission to promote energy sustainability, regional economic development, and long-term financial resilience.
About The Arab Energy Fund
The Arab Energy Fund (TAEF / The Fund) is a multilateral impact financial institution focused on the MENA energy sector, established in 1974 by ten Arab oil-exporting countries. The Fund's mission is to support the energy ecosystem with debt and equity solutions to enable energy security and sustainability and to develop local value chains and services in the MENA region. TAEF creates impact by contributing to economic prosperity and enabling local communities via talent development and knowledge creation. The Fund offers a comprehensive range of funding solutions across the entire energy value chain to leading public and private sector business partners in over 35 markets. TAEF applies best-practice ESG principles across all operations, with environmental and socially linked projects comprising c.20% of its USD 5.8bn loan portfolio. The Arab Energy Fund is the only energy-focused financial institution in the MENA region rated 'Aa2' by Moody's, 'AA+' by Fitch and 'AA-' by S&P.
Contacts:
Communications Department
The Arab Energy Fund
zarasiddiqui@taef.comzarasiddiqui@taef.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Luxury sector pins hopes on Middle East despite clouds from conflict
Luxury sector pins hopes on Middle East despite clouds from conflict

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Luxury sector pins hopes on Middle East despite clouds from conflict

With Middle East airspace reopening and the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran appearing to hold, the luxury sector is still counting on the region's wealthy shoppers to help offset weakness in its main U.S. and Chinese markets - for now. The Middle East, helped by strong tourist flows and local wealth, has bucked a recent global slowdown in luxury sales that is expected to deepen this year, with some brands growing sales there at double-digit rates. Luxury sales in Gulf countries were up 6% to $12.8 billion of the nearly $400 billion market last year, outpacing a global drop of 2%, with strong appetite for high-end fashion, jewellery and beauty products, retail consultant Chalhoub Group said. However, that trade is heavily dependent on the region's burgeoning tourist trade, with consulting firm Bain estimating that some 50-60% of the Middle East's luxury sales come from tourists. This month's outbreak of an air war between Israel and Iran emphasised the ongoing risks in a region in which unrest was already simmering, with airlines cancelling flights and rerouting planes following Israel's strikes against Iran on June 13 - measures that are now being unwound. "At this point, we have not adjusted our long-term growth forecast, as we continue to see considerable potential in the region," said Federica Lovato, senior partner at Bain. "However, short-term volatility has increased in the last few weeks and may continue, depending on how the situation develops." The region is an important hub for travel spending, favoured by Russian oligarchs but also wealthy Asians, and has increased in importance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered sanctions and the rerouting of flights between Europe and Asia from more northerly routes to the Middle East. It also serves as a gateway for high-end brands to reach wealthy shoppers from India, where high tariffs have kept companies like LVMH from expanding store networks. Max Heinemann, co-CEO of travel retail group Gebr Heinemann, which recently expanded into Saudi Arabia and operates airport fashion retail stores carrying luxury brands in Jeddah, said the region's travel market has shown long-term resilience despite unrest. He remains optimistic. "Dips may be witnessed, but growth will remain," he said. At Prada, first-quarter sales in the region rose 26% year-on-year, while Hermes' sales there were up 14%. High-end fashion and jewellery brands have been opening new stores and hosting splashy events. Milan-based menswear label Zegna this month took its spring collection to the opera house in Dubai, the region's leading luxury hub, for a catwalk show in an elaborate set evoking an Italian villa. Elie Saab held its 45th anniversary show in Riyadh last November, featuring a performance from Celine Dion. Dior, Saint Laurent and Valentino last year opened stores in Bahrain, while this year Louis Vuitton brought guests to the Dubai desert for a dawn meal and Chanel hosted a dinner in Abu Dhabi linked to a high jewellery launch. But maintaining visitor numbers to Middle Eastern destinations will be vital to bringing shoppers through the doors. Luxury travel agency Global Travel Moments says that for now, its long-term travel volumes to the Middle East have been unaffected by the latest unrest. However, given recent events, there is currently "certainly more caution" before finalizing trips to the broader Middle East, it said. ($1 = 0.8546 euros) (Reporting by Mimosa Spencer and Elisa Anzolin; Additional reporting by Luke Tyson in Dubai; Editing by Jan Harvey)

Roberto Carlos, marks the official launch of Real Madrid Foundation partners with ISD Sports City
Roberto Carlos, marks the official launch of Real Madrid Foundation partners with ISD Sports City

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Roberto Carlos, marks the official launch of Real Madrid Foundation partners with ISD Sports City

Dubai, UAE – In a groundbreaking move that cements Dubai's status as a global hub for sports development, ISD Sports City has announced a landmark partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation to manage a new branch of the Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Program in Dubai. A commemorative photograph was taken with Daniels Petrovs, CEO of ISD Sports City, and the Real Madrid Ambassador Roberto Carlos, marking the official launch of the collaboration. Recognized as the world's most iconic football brand, Real Madrid Foundation brings its unique program that combines education and sports to ISD's world-class facilities. ISD Sports City is already home to state-of-the-art pitches. These include the latest hybrid-generation football fields, with all-natural pitches slated for hybrid conversion by the end of the year, an upgrade that positions ISD as a premier destination for international teams and events. 'Dubai is increasingly becoming the global epicentre for sport and youth development,' said Daniels Petrovs, CEO of ISD Sports City. 'Partnering with the Real Madrid Foundation allows us to elevate our football offering to high-quality standards while giving children across the UAE access to an unique experience and facilities. Our goal is simple, to build a centre of excellence that sets the benchmark globally.' Petrovs, who has led ISD for the past 15 months, brings deep expertise in building Modern sports facilities. His vision includes not only converting all pitches to hybrid surfaces but also embedding sustainability and performance into every inch of ISD's infrastructure. Located at the heart of the Sheikh Hamdan Vision for 2040 and the Urban Masterplan, ISD plays a strategic role in enhancing lifestyle and sporting opportunities in the UAE. More than 7,000 students from ISD's school partners currently use the indoor dome and outdoor fields each year, benefitting from facilities that mirror those used by top-tier international teams. With this partnership, ISD Sports City is set to transform the youth football landscape in the region combining cutting-edge infrastructure, global expertise, and one of the most powerful names in football.

LuLu launches highly anticipated ‘Let's Connect' event across GCC
LuLu launches highly anticipated ‘Let's Connect' event across GCC

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

LuLu launches highly anticipated ‘Let's Connect' event across GCC

LuLu Group has officially launched its flagship promotional campaign, 'Let's Connect', a celebration specifically focused on mobile phones and mobile accessories. Over the past decade, this event has become one of the most awaited retail promotions in the UAE and across the GCC countries, drawing enthusiastic crowds and offering unparalleled shopping experiences. The 'Let's Connect' event has been carefully curated to showcase the latest innovations in smartphones, gadgets, and mobile accessories at unbeatable prices. Shoppers can look forward to deep discounts, limited-time offers, exclusive bundle deals, and value-packed promotions available in all LuLu Hypermarkets throughout the region. In addition to the promotional offers, customers can participate in exciting daily raffles with chances to win top-tier electronics and other valuable prizes. LuLu has also designed engaging in-store experiences and interactive social media activities to amplify customer participation and excitement. "The success of 'Let's Connect' over the years reflects our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and delivering value," said Usmankunju Khalid, group business development manager, LuLu Group. "We aim to bring the best products and experiences to our diverse customer base, and this event is a testament to that mission." The campaign, running across multiple LuLu locations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, continues to be a key highlight in the regional retail calendar.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store