HKL’s request to issue bonds approved

The Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) last week approved Hattha Kaksekar Limited’s request to begin the issuance of corporate bonds.

The approval means HKL will become the first company to issue corporate bond in the nascent local bourse.

“We would like to inform that Hattha Kaksekar Limited is the first company to obtain approval from CSX to issue corporate bonds,” CSX said.

“The company is now reviewing the procedure for issuing corporate bonds,” it added.

In early August, HKL obtained approval from the Central Bank to begin issuing bonds.

HKL has received guidance from SBI Royal Securities, a financial advisor and underwriter, during the bond issuing process.

The company will offer a total of 80 billion riel in bonds (about $19.7 million), with an additional 40 billion riel ($9.85 million) in case demand from targeted investors exceeds expectations.

The bonds have a tenor of 3 years and the annual coupon rate ranges from 7.5 to 8.5 percent.

Hout Ieng Tong, president and CEO of HKL, said the move signals the start of the corporate bond market in Cambodia.

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