E-Malt.com News article: Singapore: Asia Pacific Breweries issues second series of fixed rate notes

Singapore-based Asia Pacific Breweries Limited announced on January, 7 that it has issued a second series of Notes (Series 2 Notes) of S$40 million.

Bearing a fixed interest rate of 4.00% per annum payable semi-annually in arrear, the Series 2 Notes are issued under APB's S$1 billion Multicurrency Medium Term Note Programme (MTN Programme) established on 9 April 2009.

Issued in bearer form and in the denomination of S$250,000 each, the 12-year Series 2 Notes are expected to mature on 7 January 2022. The net proceeds from the issue of the Series 2 Notes will be used for general corporate purposes of APB and its subsidiaries, which may include the proposed Grande Brasserie de Nouvelle Caledonie S.A acquisition, the proposed PT Multi Bintang Indonesia Tbk acquisition and the proposed Bintang brand acquisition announced by APB on 7 December 2009.

Mr Roland Pirmez, Chief Executive Officer, APB said, "The successful issuance of the 12-year Notes underlines investors' confidence in APB and recognition of the company's sound fundamentals. The funding from the debt capital market will serve as valuable resources for the Group and our regional operations as we forge ahead for further growth. Moving forward, we shall continue to leverage the S$1 billion MTN programme which we established last year and issue Notes of various tenors to tap the demand for alternative investments."

APB is currently supported by 35 breweries in 12 countries in the Asia Pacific region. For sustainable growth, the Group will continue to leverage its diversified footprint in the Asia Pacific region where APB will seek to further drive organic growth and intensify its participation for further penetration.

Approval in-principle has been obtained for the listing of the Series 2 Notes on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited on 8 January 2010. Such approval in-principle is not to be taken as an indication of the merits of the company, its subsidiaries, its joint venture companies, its associated companies (if any), the MTN Programme or the Series 2 Notes.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the appointed dealer for the Series 2 Notes, APB said.


08 January, 2010