Romania's first issue of Samurai green bonds on Japanese capital market - successful among investors

The Ministry of Finance launched on Friday the first issue of Samurai bonds, in the total value of 33 billion Japanese yen, with firm purchase orders from investors in the total amount of 34.1 billion Japanese yen, the ministry informs in a release."Romania's first issue of Samurai green bonds, on the Japanese capital market, of approximately 200 million euros, enjoyed success among the investors, establishing a bridge between Japanese investors and the Romanian state after a series of discussions with potential future institutional investors in Japan, last year. By issuing the entire transaction in green format, the Ministry of Finance created, on the one hand, an additional attractiveness for these bonds and, on the other hand, ensures the necessary resources for the implementation of strategic projects in the field of combating climate change, objective nationally in accordance with national and international policies. This first issue reflects the confidence of international investors in the prospects of the Romanian economy," said Finance Minister Marcel Bolos, quoted in the press release.The issue was made in three tranches, of which 22 billion Japanese yen with a maturity of 3 years, with a yield of 2.10% per year, 3.6 billion Japanese yen with a maturity of 5 years, with a yield of 2.63 % respectively 7.4 billion Japanese yen with a maturity of 7 years and a yield of 3.14%. The funds obtained from this issue will be settled on October 11, 2024.According to the cited source, the transaction is part of the external financing plan related to 2024, through which the Ministry of Finance aims to ensure the financing needs from foreign markets for this year, as well as the consolidation of the financial reserve in foreign currency at the disposal of the State Treasury. In addition to the mentioned objectives, the transaction on the Japanese market aims to diversify the investment base for the debt instruments issued by the Romanian State, an objective also taken into account through the issuance of green Eurobonds carried out at the beginning of 2024."Taking into account the inaugural character, the issue of Samurai bonds benefited from a diversified investment base both geographically and from the perspective of the types of investors, being allocated to both Japanese and offshore investors. Considering the inaugural character of the issue and taking into account the restrictions of Japanese investors, there is a good granularity of the investment base, in the issue there are purchase orders from both public funds, pension funds, and Japanese and regional investments, as well as from offshore investors. The Ministry of Finance intends to issue frequent Samurai bonds following this successful debut on the Japanese market", state the representatives of the ministry.The transaction was brokered by Daiwa Securities Co.Ltd., Mizuho Securities Co.Ltd., Nomura Securities Co.Ltd. and SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.