Saudi eyes more bond sales in Asia

Saudi Arabia is aiming to sell more international bonds in Asia to ensure a diverse, stable investor base, Reuters reported, quoting Fahad Al-Saif, the head of the Kingdom’s debt management office (DMO) on Thursday.

Talks are underway with Asian institutional investors to increase demand there after making good progress in placing its bonds with American and European investors, Al-Saif told a briefing at an investment conference in Riyadh.

The Kingdom’s plans are also aimed at avoiding excessive short-term speculation in the bonds.

He also said the DMO will increase liquidity in the domestic secondary debt market for government bonds, Reuters reported. 

The government is building a fixed-rate yield curve, and will extend the curve as much as possible, said Al-Saif.