Suriname proposes exchange of $675 mln bonds for oil-linked debt

Suriname offered to exchange $675 million of dollar bonds for new notes, its government said on Monday, as the South American nation looks to continue debt talks with China next month.
It invited investors in debt due in 2023 and 2026 to swap their holdings for a new 10-year bond due July 15, 2033, with an annual interest rate of 7.95%.
Suriname will also issue notes with payouts linked to the government securing at least $100 million in oil royalties from an offshore reserve known as Block 58.
Once the $100 million is reached, Suriname will allocate 30% of its annual royalty income from Block 58 for to make payments on a quarterly basis until the notes mature in 2050, it said.
In September, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) board cleared the third review of its programme of more than $600 million for Suriname, granting the government’s request for a waiver of non-compliance based on measures already taken.
Suriname said this month its foreign minister would visit Beijing in early November for talks, following China’s counter response to a proposal regarding two-way debt negotiations.
It reached a deal with private bondholders in May.