Japanese banks join MDBs to scale Asian SMEs and climate debt

The dual-tranche issuance is the first Singapore dollar bond from a Vietnamese issuer and will support lending to local MSMEs.

SoftBank, Grab and PETROS plan Malaysian AI infrastructure; Mitsui Chemicals agrees JSR acquisition; Rakuten establishes satellite venture; CTP expands in Vietnam.

Joy Kwek joins from Morgan Stanley and is tasked with leading synergies between SMBC and SMBC Nikko, strengthening their capital markets and structured solutions offering.

The Hong Kong-based banker has most recently been head of Morgan Stanley's Apac debt syndicate.

One of the region's most liquid but conservative markets is showing signs of moving down the credit curve again, although borrowers are still advised to adopt a step-by-step approach to issuance.

SMBC, ING and Standard Chartered have helped provide the $300m financing for the project in Luzon, which will support the country's energy transition.