Debt agency issues two new state bonds
Belgium will issue two new government bonds on 4 March, one of one year and one of three years, the Federal Debt Agency announced on Tuesday.
It follows the success of the one-year bond launched in September last year, which saw a total of 22 billion euros invested. The September bond was issued partly in response to poor interest rates offered by banks. Finance minister Vincent Van Peteghem had been calling for a new tax-friendly one-year bond for some time
The agency proposed that the one-year bond have a reduced withholding tax rate of 15 per cent, but that was later rejected by state secretary for the Budget Alexia Bertrand. "This is not appropriate from a budgetary point of view," she said.
A decision on the interest rate is expected by 19 February. For both bonds, the withholding tax rate will be 30 per cent.
“The agency intends to limit the amount raised through these two bonds to 6 billion euros,” it said in a statement. “It may close the subscription early if necessary.”
Subscriptions through an investment institution can be made from 22 February to 1 March. Subscriptions via the General Ledger can be made between 22 February and 29 February, with receipt of funds no later than 1 March.
Vincent Van Peteghem pictured during a plenary session of the Chamber at the federal parliament in Brussels, 8 February 2024 © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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