Prime Minister Alexander De Croo addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his speech, he reflected on the atrocities committed in the war in Ukraine, addressed the energy crisis and made a plea to continue fighting for human rights and liberal democracy. Belgium is a candidate for membership of the UN Human Rights Council 2023-2025.

At the end of August 2022, the federal government debt amounted to 474.151 billion euros. This debt thus increased by 4.68 billion euros compared to July.

In net terms (after deducting placements and securities held in portfolio), the federal government debt increased by 5.07 billion euros to EUR 452.665 billion. 

The net balance to be financed amounted to EUR -5.064 billion in August 2022.

For more details on the issuance and repayment of short-term and long-term debt in August 2022, please refer to the website www.debtagency.be.

The average maturity of the federal government debt decreased by 0.14 year to 10.43 years in August 2022, while the average interest rate on debt instruments remained at the same level (1.37%). The refinancing risks at 12 and 60 months amounted to 12.87% and 36.32%, respectively.

See pdf file attached. 

The 2.75% EURO 4.5 billion Green OLO 96 benchmark issue, maturing 22 April 2039 for the Kingdom of Belgium (rated Aa3/AA/AA-; outlook all stable) is now priced.  

Issue/Reoffer price 99.956, to yield 2.754%, equivalent to 6 bps above OLO 2038 (OLO76 1.9% 22/06/2038).

Payment date 21 September 2022. Short first coupon on 22 April 2023. Listing Brussels.

Belgian law. No XD, no NP. FM2 (with prior consultation with the issuer) applies.

Fees total 20 cts.

Reg S Category 1, 144A eligible,  CAC,  FCA/ICMA Stabilisation.

Joint leads and books: BNP Paribas Fortis, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC and J.P. Morgan.

Co-lead group: Barclays, Citi, Deutsche Bank, KBC, Morgan Stanley, Natixis, NatWest Markets, Nomura and Société Générale.

The proceeds of the issue of the bond will be used in accordance with Belgium’s 2022 new Green OLO Framework.

The Minister of Finance, Vincent Van Peteghem, announces :

The Kingdom of Belgium intends to issue a new syndicated EURO benchmark bond maturing 22/04/2039 (Green OLO 96) in the near future, subject to market conditions.

BNP Paribas Fortis, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC and J.P. Morgan have been mandated as joint bookrunners.

All other Primary Dealers will be invited to the syndicate group.

The proceeds of the issue of the bond will be used in accordance with Belgium’s 2022 new Green OLO Framework.

The OLO auction scheduled for 19/09/2022 has already been cancelled.

The Belgian Debt Agency informs you that it has accepted bids of Treasury certificates for a total amount of EUR 3.165 billion, distributed into the following lines :

ISIN Code : BE0312786586 - 12/01/2023
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 1.525
Weighted average yield : 0.588%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 1.72
 
ISIN Code : BE0312790620 - 14/09/2023
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 1.640
Weighted average yield : 1.567%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 1.29
 
 
See our Refinitiv page BELG/TC or Bloomberg page BEDA - TC Auctions - Results.

Following the Green OLO framework investor meetings and calls that took place between the 5th and 9th of September, the Kingdom of Belgium has decided to cancel the OLO auction scheduled for the 19th of September, 2022. +

The Belgian Debt Agency informs you that it has accepted bids of Treasury certificates for a total amount of EUR 2.446 billion, distributed into the following lines :

ISIN Code : BE0312786586 - 12/01/2023
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 1.415
Weighted average yield : 0.185%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 1.19
 
ISIN Code : BE0312787592 - 09/03/2023
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 1.031
Weighted average yield : 0.446%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 1.32
 
 
See our Refinitiv page BELG/TC or Bloomberg page BEDA - TC Auctions - Results.

In the framework of its "Optional Reverse Inquiry Facility" program, the Belgian Debt Agency has issued EUR 0.500 billion, in the following OLO-lines :

OLO 0.80 % 22/06/2028 (OLO85)
ISIN code : BE0000345547
Amount taken (EUR billion): 0.310
Weighted average yield : 1.738 %

OLO 2.25 % 22/06/2057 (OLO83)
ISIN code : BE0000343526
Amount taken (EUR billion): 0.190
Weighted average yield : 2.755 %

See our Refinitiv page BELG/ORI or Bloomberg page BEDA - "OLO Optional Reverse Inquiry - Results".

The Belgian Debt Agency informs you that the following 2 OLO lines will be auctioned on Friday, 2 September 2022 for a maximum amount of EUR 500 million:

1.

Description : OLO 0.80% 22/06/2028

ISIN code : BE0000345547

OLO number : OLO 85

Outstanding : EUR 15 527 000 000.00

2.

Description : OLO 2.25% 22/06/2057

ISIN code : BE0000343526

OLO number : OLO 83

Outstanding : EUR 6 676 000 000.00

Payment date will be 06/09/2022.

The Kingdom of Belgium (rated Aa3/AA/AA-; outlook all stable) has requested BNP Paribas Fortis and Crédit Agricole CIB to arrange a series of investor calls and meetings to present its new 2022 Green OLO Framework.

These meetings will take place between the 5th and the 9th of September, 2022.

The Kingdom of Belgium will be represented by the Belgian Debt Agency and the DG Environment of the Ministry of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.

A pre-recorded presentation will be made available on the website of the Belgian Debt Agency as from Monday the 5th of September, 2022: https://www.debtagency.be/en

The new Green OLO Framework and the Second Party Opinion by Moody’s ESG can also be consulted on the BDA’s website: https://www.debtagency.be/en/green-olo

Today, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is attending the Offshore Northern Seas Conference (ONS) in Stavanger, Norway. ONS is an international energy conference  that brings together politicians, business leaders, opinion makers and academics on relevant themes in the energy sector. In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister called on the European countries and Norway in particular to work together and reiterated his plea for an intervention in the 'irrational' gas market to protect citizens and businesses. Read the full keynote speech of the Prime Minister here.