Greece plans bond market return in second half of 2016
[LONDON] Greece plans to return to bond markets in the second half of next year, its finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos told Reuters on Tuesday.
The country, which came perilously close to leaving the euro zone this year after tense negotiations over an 86 billion euro bailout with international creditors, has not issued debt to private investors since July 2014.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in London, Euclid Tsakalotos said he had also met hedge funds on Tuesday to discuss issues including a possible return. "It was a general overall issue of the roadmap, the Greek economy, how the (bank) recap is going and when we expect to return to markets and so on," he said. "There are of course lots of investors who would be willing to invest but are frightened about Grexit and that the programme might not work." Greece's international creditors have promised Athens further debt relief if it complies with the terms of the bailout, its third since 2010.
Mr Tsakalotos, one of the key negotiators in the latest bailout deal, said he doubted debt relief would come in the next months but would be crucial to winning back investors.
Greece has effectively been locked out of markets since it became clear to investors at the end of 2014 that the leftist Syriza government would gain power on a promise to end austerity and renegotiate its debts. "We will not reach a deal of debt relief before Christmas," Mr Tsakalotos said. "It is absolutely vital that we get a clear runway so that people understand that investors can invest for seven, eight, nine years." He said relief on its debts to international creditors should include grace periods where no interest is paid for 15 to 20 years, which would improve its finances and encourage long-term investment from private investors. "If there is good will, there are tons of ways to deal with the problem."
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Banking & Finance
Great Eastern chairman appeals for patience as shareholders fume over share price ‘disaster’
S&P Global first-quarter profit beats estimates on strong product demand
Thai banks cut rate for some borrowers after push from PM
Money laundering accused who faces 22 charges to plead guilty on May 14
BNP Paribas beats estimates as lower costs offset trading slump
Japan brokerage Daiwa’s Q4 profit more than doubles as markets recover