Clearstream, the international central securities depository (ICSD) of Deutsche Börse Group, is teaming up with the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to make Ukrainian government securities eligible in Clearstream’s system. The linkage to the Ukrainian market is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2019.
This step will enable settlement of all government bonds denominated in the local currency hryvnia through the international system of Clearstream, improving efficiency at international standards while reducing costs for investors.
It is expected that by making local government securities eligible in Clearstream the demand for Ukrainian government bonds will increase, thereby boosting their liquidity and attractiveness in the international market. As a result, the Ukrainian government will benefit from a wider range of sources of long-term funding and a lower cost of borrowing. Moreover, the offering will improve the currency structure of public debt and transmission mechanism of the NBU monetary policy, while contributing to the further development of the Ukrainian capital markets.
Yakiv Smolii, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, noted: “Enabling settlement of government securities in hryvnia in Clearstream’s system is a significant step towards Ukraine becoming a full-fledged participant of global capital markets. Ukraine’s integration into the world-wide financial system will help to increase the inflow of foreign capital to the Ukrainian economy and will strengthen its financial stability.”
Philippe Seyll, Co-CEO Clearstream Banking S.A., commented: “We are delighted to establish a linkage to the Ukrainian capital market with our local partner National Bank of Ukraine. This supports Clearstream’s broader strategy in the CIS and Central Asian region: we are connecting emerging capital markets in the region to our global network. This is increasing their attractiveness to international investors by providing an efficient and stable post-trade environment.”