Saudi Arabia Executes $9.5 Billion Debt Buyback and Sukuk Issuance

Saudi Arabia has completed an early purchase of more than 35.7 billion riyals ($9.5 billion) of outstanding debt and will issue about 35.9 billion riyals in sukuk as the kingdom plans to bolster its domestic market.

The government bought a portion of its debt instruments maturing in 2024, 2025 and 2026, the National Debt Management Center said in a statement on Sunday.

The buyback represents the largest early purchase transaction arranged by NDMC.

The Saudi government will issue new sukuk worth 35.9 billion riyals under the Local Saudi Sukuk Issuance Program, NDMC said. The program will be divided into four tranches, with issuances maturing in 2031, 2032, 2033 and 2038.

The initiative is part of NDMC’s efforts to strengthen the domestic market and “to keep up with market developments which have been reflected positively on the growing trading volume in the secondary market,” the agency said.

The transaction will also align NDMC’s efforts with other initiatives to enhance public finances in the medium and long term. HSBC Saudi Arabia, Al Rajhi Capital, SNB Capital, and AlJazira Capital have been appointed as joint lead managers to lead the transaction.