Alice on the Roof is releasing a heartfelt song today to celebrate the significant milestone of Belgium's 20th anniversary of same-sex marriage. The song beautifully encapsulates the themes of love, unity, understanding, and acceptance. As part of the 'Embracing Openness' campaign, the song emphasizes love wins in Belgium, also for same-sex couples.

The Belgian Debt Agency informs you that it has accepted bids of Treasury certificates for a total amount of EUR 1.085 billion, distributed into the following line :

ISIN Code : BE0312790620 - 14/09/2023
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 1.085
Weighted average yield : 3.174%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 2.72

See our Refinitiv page BELG/TC or Bloomberg page BEDA - TC Auctions - Results.

Today, Belgium unveiled its new international branding campaign titled “Embracing Openness”.  Primarily targeted at economic decision makers and the broader research community, the initiative has been launched by the FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister to strengthen Belgium’s openness for innovation, as supported by partnerships and diversity. The campaign will run until April 2026.

Prime Minister De Croo delivered a keynote speech in Berlin at the invitation of Chancellor Scholz and German industry following the 60th anniversary celebration of Wirtschaftsrat Deutschland.

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo spoke today at Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik.
Read the Prime Minister's full speech below.

The FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister will launch its new country branding strategy on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

On 16 May 2023, the Kingdom of Belgium issued a new 20-year OLO with maturity date 22 June 2043. OLO 99 has an annual coupon of 3.45% and was issued at a price of 99.99%, bringing the annual cost to 3.451%.

The keen interest in the transaction and the high quality of the orders allowed 4.0 billion EUR to be placed with domestic and foreign investors.

The Belgian Debt Agency plans to issue a total of EUR 45.0 billion in OLOs this year. With yesterday's transaction, a total of EUR 26.028...

The 3.45% EUR 4 billion OLO99 benchmark issue, maturing 22 June 2043 for the Kingdom of Belgium (rated Aa3/AA/AA-; outlook stable/stable/negative) is now priced.
Issue/Reoffer price 99.990, to yield 3.451%, equivalent to 54 bps above midswaps.
Payment date 24 May 2023. Short first coupon on 22 June 2023. Listing Brussels.
Belgian law. No XD, no NP. FM2 (with prior consultation with the issuer) applies.
Fees total 22.5 cts.
Reg S Category 1, 144A eligible, CAC, FCA/ICMA Stabilisation.
Joint...

The Minister of Finance, Vincent Van Peteghem, announces :

The Kingdom of Belgium intends to issue a new syndicated EURO benchmark bond maturing 22/06/2043 (OLO 99) in the near future, subject to market conditions.

BNP Paribas Fortis, Citi, Crédit Agricole CIB, Nomura and Société Générale have been mandated as joint bookrunners.

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

The OLO auction scheduled for 22/05/2023 is cancelled.

Today, the inner cabinet approved a new aid package for Ukraine and its people in preparation of a counteroffensive against Russia.  

Press release from the Belgian Debt Agency:

 

As of the end of April 2023, the federal government debt amounted to EUR 493.842 billion. This means that this debt increased by EUR 897 million compared to March.

In net terms (after deducting placements and securities held in portfolio), the federal government debt decreased by EUR 5.33 billion in April, to EUR 470.372 billion.

The net balance to be financed in April was EUR -5.29 billion (in favor of the Treasury).

For more details...

The Belgian Debt Agency informs you that it has accepted bids of Treasury certificates for a total amount of EUR 3.145 billion, distributed into the following lines :

ISIN Code : BE0312790620 - 14/09/2023
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 1.060
Weighted average yield : 3.133%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 2.49

ISIN Code : BE0312794663 - 09/05/2024
Amount taken (EUR billion) : 2.085
Weighted average yield : 3.242%
Bid-to-cover ratio : 2.36

See our Refinitiv page BELG/TC or Bloomberg page BEDA -...