^{Khadijah Iskandar, Covering President / Chief Executive Officer of Agrobank}



KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Agrobank announced today that it successfully priced its inaugural RM500 million Sukuk Wakalah Programme based on the Islamic principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar on 18 October 2021. 
 
After successful lodgment of the RM1 billion Sukuk Wakalah Programme with the Securities Commission Malaysia in August 2021, the Bank has proceeded with its maiden foray into the capital markets receiving resounding support from the market. 
 
Commenting on the successful issuance of its RM500 million Sukuk offering, Khadijah Iskandar, Covering President/ Chief Executive Officer of Agrobank said, “We are extremely proud to have successfully priced our inaugural RM500 million of Sukuk Wakalah on 18 October 2021, upon completion of a one-day book-building exercise, which demonstrates the depth of the Malaysian Sukuk Capital market.”
 
“It is our privilege to be part of this innovative instrument which we believe will further enhance Malaysia’s position as a global Islamic financial hub and solidify its position as a leader in the global Islamic capital markets,” she added.
 
"The strong demand for this instrument in the market is a testimony of the confidence investors have in Agrobank’s credit, operations and business activities. The issuance will enable the industry to realise the benefits from raising capital through the issuance of these instruments as a cost efficient and non-dilutive capital raising solution that lowers the cost of capital.”
 
The proceeds from the Sukuk Wakalah issuance shall be utilised for its shariah - compliant general business and working capital requirements. 
 
Agrobank put forth a dual-tranche debut offering to the market on a five and seven-year Sukuk which landed at a very tight spread of 51 bps and 49 bps respectively. The book was closed at very competitive levels of 3.63% p.a for the five-year Sukuk and 3.90% p.a for the seven-year Sukuk, amidst a challenging market environment. This was achieved after price tightening of between four to six basis points across the tenures from the initial price guidance.
 
The inaugural issuance saw strong orders from quality investors comprising government agencies, financial institutions, asset management companies and insurance companies which resulted in an oversubscription of the amount offered.

The Sukuk Wakalah Programme has been assigned a rating of AAA by Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad. Maybank Investment Bank Berhad is the Principal Arranger, Lead Arranger and Lead Manager for the Sukuk Programme.
 
ABOUT AGROBANK

Agrobank is a leader in agriculture financing and values-based banking based (VBI)* in Malaysia. Established in 1969, Agrobank is actively involved in charting the growth and development of Malaysia’s agriculture industry by offering shariah compliant products and solutions across various customer segments including corporate, commercial, consumer, trade finance and micro financing customers. Agrobank is a full-fledged Islamic bank since 1st July 2015.
 
As a market driven, customer-centric DFI (Development Financial Institution) with a primary focus on strengthening the agriculture sector in Malaysia, Agrobank strikes an equal balance to its developmental and commercial roles to benefit the agriculture sector. Agrobank provides a comprehensive repertoire of financing solutions for the agriculture community; that includes upstream activities related to primary food and commodities-based agriculture activities to downstream activities such as processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.
 
Agrobank also offers retail banking financing solutions to improve the well-being of the agriculture community. This is done through its network of 206 touchpoints as of 2020 which include 138 branches, 33 kiosks, 19 commercial centers and 16 other touchpoints.
 
In 2019, Agrobank celebrates its golden jubilee Anniversary, as it marks 50 years of its proud establishment developing the agro industry.  
 
www.agrobank.com.my

* VBI or value-based intermediation is an initiative by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) which aims to improve the products and services offered by Islamic financial institutions towards a better facilitation of entrepreneurship, community well-being, sustainable environment and economic growth, without compromising on shareholders’ returns

Issued by Corporate Communications Department of Agrobank

SOURCE: Agrobank

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Shahreen Rahim
Section Head of Public Relations
Corporate Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1660 (ext 1660) / +6012-943 6217
Email: shahreen.rahim@agrobank.com.my
 
Name: Syarifah Syameen Syed Johari
Senior Executive Public Relations
Corporate Communications Department, Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1652 / +6012-310 1766
Email: syameen@agrobank.com.my

--BERNAMA