Wednesday 9 February 2011

FT Tilt - The Sudan debt relief trade

The government of south Sudan would like up to 75 per cent of its debt wiped off the slate before it becomes independent in July, and yield-hungry distressed debt buyers are mulling what opportunities this could bring.

The conflict-ridden administration of president Omar al-Bashir wants creditors to cut the country's $38 billion foreign debt, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

Without debt relief, the northern and southern regions would have to split the debt load, an unwelcome birthday present for Africa's soon-to-be newest country. Given its high debt to exports ratio, Sudan is eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. It is not expected to achieve a sustainable external debt position without generous debt forgiveness on at least HIPC terms, which has historically seen countries given about 90 per cent relief.

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