RIYADH — Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced on Tuesday the successful completion of its dual tenor SR4 billion ($1.067 billion) Sukuk issuances, for providing liquidity to Saudi Arabia's housing market. Sukuks are an Islamic financial certificate, commonly referred to as Shariah-compliant bonds. This issuance is a part of the newly launched SR10 billion Saudi-Riyal Sukuk program under which SRC will issue sovereign-guaranteed Sukuk targeting local investors. Over 30 percent of the issuance was subscribed by a mix of asset managers, pension fund, government funds, and insurance companies. The Saudi-Riyal denominated issuance by SRC was offered in the seven and 10 year tenors. The issuances were a private offering to Saudi-based institutional investors attracting an order book in excess of SR8 billion which represents an oversubscription of 2.15 times. This underscores the investor confidence in the strength of the Saudi housing market, which witnessed an increase in home ownership from 45 percent in 2017 to 62 percent in 2020. Majed Al-Hogail, the minister of municipal, rural affairs and housing and chairman of SRC, said: "The successful Sukuk issuance demonstrates confidence among the investor community and trust in a robust housing market in the Kingdom and more broadly a resilient Saudi economy. The favorable cost of funding for SRC ultimately translates to an ecosystem where mortgages are more affordable and accessible to Saudi families. The Sukuk program brings us one step closer to achieving the strategic objectives of the housing program under Vision 2030." "The completion of issuances by SRC under the new Sukuk program marks an important step towards the development of a robust secondary mortgage market and the wider housing sector in the Kingdom," Fabrice Susini, CEO of SRC. "Our role in sustaining a healthy housing market is further validated by the strong investor interest in our issuance which helps achieve our funding objectives. The latest sovereign-guaranteed offering, underpinned by favorable cost of funding and terms, will further provide liquidity to the Saudi housing market that helps our citizens climb the housing ladder. This issuance will also contribute to the realization of the Public Investment Fund's strategy, a key driver in promoting the growth of the Saudi economy and diversifying sources of income by launching new sectors, including a secondary market for real estate financing." Faisal Qadri, managing director, head of Debt Capital Markets & Structured Finance, HSBC Saudi Arabia stated: "This is yet another groundbreaking achievement for SRC, and stands as a testament of the confidence local investors have in this fast emerging name which is playing a critical role in the development of the housing sector. The growing presence and importance as a catalyst in the housing sector is demonstrated by SRC's ability to attract an investor order book in excess of SR8 billion." HSBC Saudi Arabia acted as the Sole Arranger on the establishment of the Sukuk program and as a Sole Lead Coordinator, Sukukholders' Agent and Payment Administrator on the issuances under the program. Aljazira Capital, HSBC Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Fransi Capital acted as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners on the issuances under the programmer. SRC was established by the Public Investment Fund in 2017 to be the pillar of Saudi Arabia housing market by acting as a catalyst for accessible and affordable home financing solutions.
