Tunisia: bonds, indices, credit ratings

Tunisias government bond yield curve has tenors up to 15 years with five benchmark points along the curve. The bond market has a rowing and diversified investor base with marginal presence of foreign investors. The fixed income market comprises short-term Treasury bills (Bons du Tresor a Court Terme BTCT), bonds equivalent to Treasury bonds (Bons du Tresor Assimilables BTA), and corporate obligations. These securities are fully dematerialized and have tenors ranging from 13 weeks to 15 years for public securities and from 5 to 25 years for corporate obligations. The Government of Tunisia, through its issuing agent the Treasury, regularly issues debt. In 2009 more than 63% of Government debt matured within five years, 32% between 5 and 10 years, and 5% above 10 years. Interest is payable annually, with bullet repayment of the principal. The majority of outstanding Government securities are fixed rate instruments and the remaining securities zero-coupon obligations. As for the corporate bond market, most major Tunisian corporations issue debt throughout the year, depending on the liquidity available in the capital markets. Municipalities are allowed to issue debt in the capital markets, however, to date they have not issued any debt. Financial institutions are the most active among non-Government issuers. Although secondary market activity has increased in recent years, the market still remains largely illiquid.