The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Finance and Planning, recently issued US$2 billion in bonds in two tranches in the international capital market.  The successful completion of this transaction is significant for a number of reasons:
The issue size of two billion United States dollars by far eclipses the record set last year with the eight hundred million United States dollars (US$800 million) bond issue.  Investor interest in this offering exceeded four billion dollars, more than twice what we ended up accepting.
Secondly, based on Jamaica’s performance to date, the market was willing to “go long” on Jamaica with six hundred and fifty million United States dollars (US$650 million) being placed for thirty years. The remaining one point three five billion United States dollars (US$1.35 billion), representing a second tranche, has a final maturity of just under thirteen years, maturing in 2028. This strong interest by the international capital market demonstrates investors’ confidence in Jamaica and specifically in the Economic Reform Programme and the various initiatives this administration has already implemented and plans to implement in the future.   Raising long dated securities creates not only debt amortization flexibility but also the ability to support investments in GDP growth promotion... Read More: http://goo.gl/ERvPQO

Remarks Regarding the Bond and PetroCaribe transactions

PDPhillipsJa