The first Bulgarian lev-denominated international bond, issued by the European Investment Bank (EIB), has met with heavy demand from the international investment community.

This was announced by Bank Austria Creditanstalt in its function as lead manager today at valuation day. The bond’s price has appreciated by 1% since its launch.

The Lev100mn ( €51mn) bond was placed with international as well as with domestic investors.

International investors came from Austria, Germany, UK and to a high degree from Italy.

This bond issue, bearing a coupon of 4.875% per year, was priced at 99.90% and matures 16-11-09. Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) acted as lead manager and HVB Bank Biochim, its Bulgarian subsidiary, exclusively covered the Bulgarian market for this transaction.