Giles Kennedy discusses non-recourse financing for telecommunications in Myanmar - Global Banking & Finance Review
Giles Kennedy from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP discusses the landmark non-recourse, cross-border financing deal for Pan Asia Majestic Eagle Limited in Myanmar's telecommunications sector.
Top Stories

MILBANK REPRESENTS PAN ASIA MAJESTIC EAGLE LIMITED IN FIRST EVER NON-RECOURSE, CROSS-BORDER FINANCING IN MYANMAR

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on October 23, 2014

2 min read

· Last updated: April 16, 2020

Add as preferred source on Google

Milbank Advises on Landmark Myanmar Deal

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP acted as international counsel to Pan Asia Majestic Eagle Limited (“PAMEL”), an independent provider of telecommunications infrastructure in Myanmar, in the first ever non-recourse, cross-border financing in Myanmar. The agreement provides US$85 million of financing to support a roll-out of telecom tower site infrastructure in Myanmar.

Consortium of International Lenders

This first-of-its-kind facility was arranged by DBS Bank, ING Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the “Lenders”), who provided the financing directly to PAMEL, a Myanmar borrower. ING Bank in Singapore is acting as the Facility Agent and Offshore Security Agent and CB Bank in Myanmar is acting as the Onshore Security Agent.

Giles Kennedy

Giles Kennedy

Significance for Myanmar’s Financial Sector

The transaction is significant as Myanmar, formerly isolated from the global markets, re-establishes and modernizes its banking and capital markets presence. It is also expected to spur similar infrastructure development across Myanmar’s telecommunications sector, which is poised for rapid expansion.

About Pan Asia Majestic Eagle Limited

PAMEL, headquartered in Yangon, was established in 2013 to serve as an independent provider of passive telecommunications infrastructure to support the rapid modernization of Myanmar. The focus of PAMEL’s current roll-out is the construction of over 1,250 towers for Ooredoo Myanmar, as part of Ooredoo’s provision of 3G mobile communications services nationwide across the country.

Milbank's Global Project Finance Experience

A leader in telecommunications and other project financings, Milbank has advised telecom companies and financial institutions around the world, with a particular focus on the developing markets of Southeast Asia, India, and Latin America.

Milbank’s Singapore-based team, led by partner Giles Kennedy, acted as International Counsel to PAMEL and VDB-Loi’s Edwin Vanderbruggen acted as Local Myanmar Counsel to PAMEL.

Key Takeaways

  • Milbank acted as international counsel for PAMEL in Myanmar’s first non‑recourse, cross‑border financing.
  • US$85 million was arranged by a consortium of DBS, ING, OCBC, Standard Chartered, and SMBC.
  • Financing will support rollout of over 1,250 telecom towers for Ooredoo’s 3G network.
  • ING Bank (Singapore) serves as Facility and Offshore Security Agent; CB Bank (Myanmar) is Onshore Security Agent.
  • The deal marks a milestone in Myanmar's reintegration into global capital markets.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What was unique about this financing?
It was Myanmar’s first non‑recourse, cross‑border financing, meaning lenders have no recourse to the sponsor beyond project assets.
Who were the lenders?
The lenders were DBS Bank, ING Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
What will the funds be used for?
The financing supports PAMEL’s rollout of over 1,250 telecom towers in Myanmar for Ooredoo Myanmar’s 3G services.
Who acted as agents in this transaction?
ING Bank in Singapore acted as Facility Agent and Offshore Security Agent; CB Bank in Myanmar acted as Onshore Security Agent.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Top Stories

Explore more articles in the Top Stories category