First Deputy Prime Minister: There Is Appetite For New Debts

The authorities are preparing to place a new issue of Eurobonds in 2018.

Belarus can place another issue of Eurobonds in 2018, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vasil Matsiusheuski has said.

"In principle, we can do it," – Matsiusheuski said on Thursday, answering journalists' questions in Minsk, interfax.by reports.

"There is an opportunity, there is our willingness. There is appetite," – he added.

As it was reported, on June 29 Belarus completed the placement of two issues of Eurobonds totaling to $ 1.4 billion.

According to the information of the Ministry of Finance of the country, a 5-year issue with a coupon rate of 6.875% per annum with maturity in February 2023 for $ 800 million was placed at a price of 98.864% of the nominal value with yield to maturity of 7.125% per annum. Bonds of a 10-year issue with a coupon rate of 7.625% per annum and maturing in June 2027 for $ 600 million were placed at a price of 100% of the nominal value with yield to maturity of 7.625% per annum.

"The final order book, which exceeded $ 2.5 billion, with the participation of more than 110 international investors is evidence of the investment community’s confidence in the fundamental prospects of the Belarusian economy, the successful implementation of structural economic reforms and an effective strategy for managing the debt portfolio," – the ministry stressed.

The rating agency Fitch Ratings has assigned the Belarusian bonds in US dollars placed by two tranches on June 29, 2017, rating at the level of "B-".

In 2010, Minsk placed Eurobonds worth $ 1 billion with a maturity of 5 years with a coupon of 8.75% per annum (the issue was repaid in August 2015), in 2011 – $ 0.8 billion with a maturity of 7 years with a coupon of 8.95% annual (repayment will be held in January 2018).