Najib launches first retail exchange-traded bonds, sukuk
Posted on 8 January 2013 - 12:47pm
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8, 2013): Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today launched the much
anticipated first retail Exchange-Traded Bonds/Sukuk (ETBS) with a
maiden issuance by DanaInfra Nasional Bhd.
Najib said the initial tranche of RM1.5 billion for the first phase
of the MRT Kajang-Sungai Buloh line, in which RM300 million is being
allocated by DanaInfra Nasional for retail investors through ETBS, is
the first to be open to public.
"By opening up our economy, we are offering the rakyat a stake in our
nation's success and from today, those opportunities are open to more
people than ever before with Islamic bonds to be traded more widely.
"I am particularly pleased to be able to say that the funds raised
will support the Kuala Lumpur Mass Rapid Transit project, a landmark
commitment that will play a prominent part in Malaysia's future
success," he said in his opening speech at the launch of the ETBS
issuance today.
The DanaInfra retail sukuk is guaranteed by the Government of
Malaysia. The first issuance on Feb 8 will have a tenure of 10 years.
Najib said under such a move, DanaInfra has become the maiden issuer
of ETBS on Bursa Malaysia offered for the first time directly to the
public.
Najib said to continue to be the leader in capital markets, Malaysia
needs to develop and maintain the market infrastructure, with firm
support from regulators, issuers and investors.
"Our bond and sukuk market is mostly traded over-the-counter by
institutional investors and high net worth individuals," he said.
He said Malaysia must remain an open, outward-facing economy, a world
leader in strategic sectors and a key player in the multi-trillion
dollar regional market.
"We must show that economic growth need not come at the expense of
financial stability, that development need not come into conflict with
others," he said.
He also reminded investors who have been buffeted by the financial
crisis in Western markets that Islamic finance offers an alternative
growth model. He said no investment is without risk and this relatively
young market will still have the occasional growing pains.
"Malaysia now accounts for three-quarters of the global sukuk market
and we are a hub for issuing, trading, regulation, standards, marketing
and training," he said.
He said Malaysia is now one of the few places in the world to offer
retail investors the chance to participate in this fast-growing,
fast-changing market.
"Our challenge now is to make sukuk part of the global investment mainstream," he said. – Bernama
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