Pakistan begins investor meetings in China ahead of first Panda Bond launch

Planned Panda Bond will let Pakistan raise funds directly from Chinese investors in local currency
An undated image. — Canva
An undated image. — Canva 

The Ministry of Finance is undertaking a series of investor meetings in Beijing, China, from Monday to Friday as part of a non-deal roadshow (NDR) to prepare for Pakistan’s first issuance of Panda Bonds.

The finance team is engaging with potential investors, underwriters, legal advisors, credit rating agencies, and guarantors with the intention of presenting the macroeconomic outlook for Pakistan, recent debt management reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Finance, and the structure of the proposed Panda Bond.

In addition, discussions highlighted areas related to credit enhancement arrangements, regulatory considerations, and early investor feedback.

Government officials were encouraged by the apparent interest from the Chinese investor community to date, which demonstrates growing trust in Pakistan's reform agenda and continued strategy to engage international capital markets.

The Pakistani government hopes to complete all requirements, including documentation and credit guarantees from multilateral development partners, to launch the bond by the end of the year.

The planned Panda Bond is one of the local currency-denominated instruments that will allow Pakistan to raise funding directly from Chinese investors, in yuan, and will provide Pakistan with different means for source diversification and expanding its investor base.

Furthermore, it also strengthens ties with China at a time when Pakistan is looking to stabilise its economy and attract more long-term financing.