Bharti Airtel plans to issue sterling bond of up to GBP 500mn

This bond, when issued, will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Bharti Airtel Ltd., a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, intends issuing its maiden Sterling Bond of up to GBP 500Million. This bond, when issued, will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Bharti is a leading corporate bond issuer from India and has issuances across maturities in USD, EUR and CHF listed on the Singapore, Frankfurt and Swiss Stock Exchanges. These bond issuances have helped Bharti diversify its investor base, currency exposure and extend maturity of its debt portfolio while setting a yield curve for its credit. The intended bond issue, when issued, will help Bharti drive its strategy of further diversification and further extension of maturities.

The intended issue and its timing remains subject to necessary authorizations and approvals, global credit environment and market conditions.

Harjeet Kohli, Group Treasurer, Bharti Airtel Ltd, said, “This debut GBP issue will be used for refinancing our existing loan portfolio. Besides utilising the capital and expertise of the United Kingdom in financing Indian telecom growth story, the issue will further strengthen the long-term strategic partnership between the two nations.”