Senaat, one of the largest industrial investment holding companies in the UAE, has successfully issued Dh1.1 billion ($300 million) sukuk through a fixed rate senior unsecured US dollar denominated RegS sukuk with a seven-year tenor.

The issue follows a series of investor meetings which took place in Europe and Asia, as well as in the UAE.

The new sukuk, which will be dual listed on the London and Abu Dhabi Stock Exchanges, had strong investor demand both locally and internationally, enabling the issue to be 10 times oversubscribed.

The sukuk was competitively priced, with a fixed income of 4.76 per cent per year, underpinned by Moody’s “A3” which was issued last week, and Fitch’s “A” credit ratings.

These ratings are the first to be assigned to Senaat by Moody’s and Fitch and have also been assigned to the sukuk itself.

In assigning these ratings, both agencies noted Senaat’s role as a main player in driving forward Abu Dhabi’s diversified manufacturing industry, underlining the group’s position as a key pillar in the implementation of the Emirate’s 2030 Economic Vision.

They pointed to Senaat’s financial strength, profitability and ability to self-finance its capital and operational expenditure, as well as the diversified and stable flow of dividends from its portfolio companies.

Through issuing the sukuk, Senaat aims to enhance its financial flexibility and ability to access capital markets. The proceeds from the sukuk issue will be allocated to refinance part of Senaat’s existing group debt, to enhance the company's overall capital structure and cash flow levels.

Hussain Jasim Al Nowais, chairman of Senaat, said: “The issuing of our sukuk enjoyed strong demand from local and international markets, reflecting investor confidence in the emirate's position in the global financial markets and its Economic Vision 2030.”

“Our organisation today is better placed than ever to achieve its goal of becoming one of the leading self-sustaining industrial groups with strong financial fundamentals and a diversified portfolio that limits risk and offers excellent growth opportunities,” he added.

Engineer Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, chief executive officer of Senaat, said: “We always seek to manage our capital structure with maximum efficiency, and the new sukuk is the latest evidence of the excellence of assets, and the ability of the board of directors and the quality of the management team of the company.”

“Through its first issuance, Senaat has achieved a competitive pricing that reflects the confidence of the financial markets in Abu Dhabi and the Group despite the challenges that the international financial markets face,” he added.

Mabkhoot Al Menhali, chief financial officer of Senaat, said: “The issuance of this sukuk is the result of SENAAT’s natural growth, and of its well established and remarkable ability to access capital from local and international banks.”

“The level of oversubscription and the price achieved reflects the high degree of confidence shown by investors in the company’s own ability to finance its investments and cover its operational costs,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service