Business News of Monday, 8 February 2016

Source: Daily Guide

Gov’t to borrow GHC6.03bn this month

Seth Terkper, Finance Minister Seth Terkper, Finance Minister

Government will once again reach out to investors both home and abroad for loans to fund its activities this month.

According to its issuance calendar for the first half of this year, it intends to borrow a total of GHC6,030 billion from the money markets through treasury bills, bonds and notes.

This would comprise maturities of GHC5,553.94 million and net issuance of GHC476.06 million.

Government expects to raise GHC3 billion from 91-Day Treasury Bills, GH¢2.1 billion in 182-Day Treasury Bills, GHC120 million from 1 year note and a GH¢300 million from 2-Year note.

Also, a GHC500 million 5-Year Fixed Rate is expected to be auctioned this month.

A bond issued by government in January, its first for 2016, was slightly undersubscribed by foreign investors.
Last month, government borrowed a total of GH¢4.63 billion from both local and foreign investors.

GHC2,100 million was scheduled to be collected via the 91-day T-bill, with GHC1,700 million planned to be received from the 182-day T-bill.
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Also, some GH¢120 million was billed to be contracted via the 1-Year Note, GH¢300 from the 2-Year Note and GH¢500 million from the 3-Year bond.

For the first half of this year, government expects to borrow a total amount of GH¢30.47 billion.

Forecast maturities would make up GHC27,779.00 million of the amount to be borrowed while net issuance would total GHC2,951.00 million.

In 2015, government borrowed about GHC50 billion through its Issuance Calendar for its securities.