Asia and the Pacific

The COVID-19 pandemic has delivered a triple shock to developing East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), and according to the World Bank's latest data, growth in the region declined to 1.2% in 2020. The relatively positive performance of the EAP region was driven primarily by China which grew by 2.3%. Of the other countries in the region, only Vietnam, Nauru, and Lao PDR grew in 2020. Prospects for the region are mixed: only China and Vietnam are expected to grow strongly in 2021, by 8.1% and 6.6% respectively, while the rest of the region is expected to grow by only 4.4%.

For South Asia, GDP in the region fell by 5.4% in 2020 due to the devastating impacts of COVID-19. The World Bank estimated that the region is expected to grow by 7.2% in 2021, and 4.4% in 2022.

According to UNCTAD, FDI in East Asia grew 12% to $283 billion in 2020, while in Southeast Asia, FDI contracted by 31% to $107 billion due to a decline in investment to the largest recipients including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. South Asia saw FDI rising by 10% to $65 billion: FDI rose by 13% in India, remained unchanged in Pakistan, and fell in other economies in the region.

In FY20, MIGA supported a hydropower plant project in the Solomon Islands and an electric transmission line project in Cambodia, issuing $88.1 million in total in the EAP region. Additionally, both these projects represented the first guarantees issued by the Agency in the two countries. For South Asia, MIGA issued guarantees for $444.2 million to support two projects. The first project was a Political Risk Insurance (PRI) guarantee for $87.4 million in relation to a hydropower project in Nepal; the second project was a Non-Honoring of Financial Obligations (NHFO) guarantee for $356.8 million in relation to a fertilizer production facility in Bangladesh.

EXAMPLES OF MIGA-SUPPORTED PROJECTS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Cambodia

In April 2020, MIGA issued guarantees that will support the refinancing of existing power transmission infrastructure in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, and its surroundings. Issued to Mizuho Bank Ltd. of Japan (Mizuho) and ING Bank N.V. of the Netherlands through its Singapore Branch (ING), the guarantees amount to US$76 million and cover up the lenders’ loans for up to 10 years. The guarantees will provide protection against Currency Inconvertibility and Transfer Restriction, Expropriation, Breach of Contract, and War and Civil Disturbance.

The project, implemented and operated by Cambodian Transmission Limited (CTL), consists of a 230KV transmission network that connects the Phnom Penh region with power generators in the east and northeast of the country. The network also provides an interconnection to the Cambodia-Vietnam and Cambodia-Thailand borders in the south and northwest of the country respectively.

Story

The Power & The Money

In a time of crisis, transmission lines in Cambodia deliver electricity—and commercial financing.

Solomon Islands

In March 2020, MIGA issued guarantees that will support the development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Tina River Hydropower Development Project in the Solomon Islands. The guarantees, issued to Korea Water Resources Corporation and Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. and amounting to US$14.094 million, cover 90% of the equity investments and future earnings in the Project for up to 20 years through Tina Hydropower Limited. These guarantees provide protections against Currency Inconvertibility and Transfer Restriction, Expropriation, Breach of Contract, and War and Civil Disturbance.

When operational, the Project is expected to reduce retail electricity tariffs without increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The Project will also generate significant economic flows into the country by displacing diesel generation, resulting in a reduction of 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the life of the Project.

Story

It May Look Like Paradise, But Investors Here Aren’t on Vacation

To the adventurous traveler, the archipelago nation of Solomon Islands looks like heaven. But to an international investor, things look more precarious.

MIGA 2021 Gender Leadership Award: Women Financing a Resilient Asia

MIGA is delighted to recognize Audra Low, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Clifford Capital, as the 2021 recipient of its Gender Leadership Award. Ms. Low has shown her commitment to furthering gender equality in the workplace, particularly in front line roles and functions where women’s representation has historically been lacking. Her efforts set an example for women in the finance sector, who have been significantly underrepresented in executive positions, representing less than 2% of bank CEOs and holding less than 20% of board seats of banks worldwide.

Event

Women Financing a Resilient Asia: 6th Annual MIGA Gender Leadership Award

In celebration of International Women’s Day, MIGA is hosting its 6th Annual Gender Leadership Award (formerly Gender CEO Award), titled ‘Women Financing a Resilient Asia’.