CABEI signed a memorandum of understanding with other Central American organizations to strengthen the development of the regional public debt market.
The agreement was signed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Executive Secretariat of the Council of Finance Ministers of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (SECOSEFIN), the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Monetary Council (SECMA) and the Association of Central American Stock Exchanges (BOLCEN).
In this regional context of economic crisis, falling fiscal revenues and increasing public debt, Costa Rica's debt level is expected to rise to 75% of GDP by 2021, and in the case of El Salvador, the indicator could exceed 85%.
The outbreak of covid-19 in Central America forced the government to declare severe household quarantines and to restrict several economic activities, restrictions that in some cases are still in place after five months of health and economic crisis.
As of December 2019, the external debt of the private sector amounted to Ch$1,817 million, 11% higher than that reported at the end of 2018.
From the Central Bank of Honduras report:
The balance of private external debt at the end of 2019 was US$1,816.6 million, increasing US$175.6 million compared to the one reported at the end of 2018; result of a net use of US$191.4 million and a favorable exchange variation that reduced the balance by US$15.8 million.
In Honduras, Congress approved the creation of the Social Interest Housing Bond, which will be a state contribution in cash or in kind, and may not be less than 11% of the value of the home to be purchased or rented.
According to Article 18 of the law, to access these bonds, the Secretariat of Housing and Human Settlements (SEVIAH) will prioritize access to the bond and housing care for households with incomes less than or equal to four (4) Minimum Wages, at its highest scale in force, Congress reported.
Standard & Poor's has given a B+ rating to the $1.5 billion debt issue that Costa Rica expects to place in the international market in November.
"Global Ratings today assigned a "B+" rating to the prospective reopening of Costa Rica's notes which have a 7.158% rate maturing in 2045 and a "B+" rating in its planned issuance of notes maturing in 2031, the latter issue still does not have a defined trading rate," the rating agency said on November 8.
Although the goal for this year was to issue $100 million in debt bonds, during the first quarter the Nicaraguan government only awarded $1.1 million, doubting the level of investor confidence.
According to the "Public Debt Report, First Quarter 2019", prepared by the Central Bank of Nicaragua, from January to March regarding Investment Securities in dollars, 1.03 million was issued at an average rate of 5.31% and an average term of 7 months.
Standard & Poor's explained that continuity in economic and investment policy next year, and overall political stability, support the decision to keep the rating at BB- with a stable outlook.
We could raise the ratings next year if a faster and more effective implementation of the expected energy reform strengthens Honduras' economic growth and fiscal flexibility above our expectations, the risk qualifier explained.
At the end of last year, the public sector's external debt totaled $7.378 million, 3% more than the $7.145 million reported at the end of 2017.
The Public External Debt/Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Balance indicator at the end of 2018 stood at 30.5%, 0.6% lower than the figure reported at the end of 2017, informed the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH).
The latest risk ratings for the issuance of long-term debt of Central American economies identify Panama as the most attractive country to invest in.
On March 8, Moody's decided to raise its long-term issuer rating in foreign currency from Baa2 to Baa1, arguing that the outlook remains more favorable in the medium term.
At the end of the third quarter of the year, the total public debt of the country's Central Administration amounted to $11.002 million, 3% more than that reported in the same period of 2017.
During 2018, the total public debt balance of the Central Administration of Honduras reached US$11,002.8 million, which represents an increase of 0.13% with respect to the Second Quarter of 2018.
On November 14th, Banpro Grupo Promerica issued $200 million in bonds on the international market for a six-year term under the 144A format.
The bank announced that the issuance was made by Promerica Financial Corporation (PFC), its main shareholder, and that the issue was structured by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse.
Ramiro Ortiz Mayorga, chairman of the board and CEO of Promerica, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "...
Between July 2017 and the same month this year, the country reported a 5.4% increase in the balance of its total external debt, rising from $8.229 billion to $8.674 billion in July.
The Central Bank of Honduras reports that at the end of July 2018, the balance of total external debt (public and private) was US $8.6739 billion, evidencing an increase of US $101.1 million with respect to the amount registered up to December 2017 (US $8.5728 billion), mainly explained by the net use (disbursements minus amortizations) of US $138.3 million, which is partially offset by a favorable exchange variation of US $37.2 million.
The $700 million in bond debt issued at a ten-year term at a rate of 6.25% will be used to pay the commitments of the National Electricity Company.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance in Honduras:
The Government of the Republic through the Ministry of Finance, managed the successful issue of sovereign bonds in the order of $700 million to pay commitments of the National Electricity Company.
With the backing of Congress the National Electricity Company aims to raise money on the international market in order to improve its debt profile.
Converting short-term debt which has high rates to debt with longer maturities and with lower interest rates, is what the National Electricity Company (ENEE) is aiming for in the external market.Congressional authorization allows the ENEE to issue up to $858 million in debt.
The National Electricity Company is preparing a debt bond issue for 2017 of $150 million.
The resources obtained through sale of debt will be used to pay part of the debts generated with the entity's suppliers during the years 2014 and 2015, as authorized in the approved budget for 2017.
"...A financial report by the National Electricity Company reveals that debt payable to suppliers, mainly to private generators, is L9,645 million as of August 31 2016. "