How did you manage to issue 10 year Notes worth US$800 at quasi-investment grade rates?
While we are new to the equity market we are well known in the bank loan and credit markets. I believe our straight forward no nonsense business plan, together with our good track record helps to ensure the market we are a reliable issuer. Also, we priced at the perfect time in October of 2009.
After securing both US$800 million bond and US$500 million standby amortizing revolving facility in 2009, do you have additional funding requirements?
At the moment we have with the bond secured the funding we need for our expansion and infrastructure improvements and with the stand-by loan we have the certainty of sufficient liquidity.
What was your greatest challenge in 2009?
How to handle the financial crisis, how to deal with the unprecedented, unchartered waters of the global financial crisis.
What was your greatest achievement in 2009?
My greatest achievement was being able to navigate successfully these difficult times. We concluded six transactions in 2009, with total fund raising of US$1.5 billion. We also acquired a barging and ship loading company that we negotiated at the bottom of the market. We transformed and strengthened the company’s financial structure in the midst of a crisis. Finally, we were able to secure a two rating upgrade to Ba1 from Moody’s, which for a time was two notches above the sovereign.
What do you hope to achieve in 2010?
My challenge for 2010 to maintain the performance we had in 2009. We finished 2009 so strongly and the challenge will be how to continue to create shareholder value at such a pace when starting from such a strong position.
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