The international credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded the rating of VIK’s EUR 400 million bond programme following its annual review. The assigned A+ credit rating is the highest to date and opens new opportunities to attract investment from capital markets.
An A+ credit rating has been assigned to the updated and approved EUR 400,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme of UAB “Valstybės investicinis kapitalas”. Following its review of the securities programme, the agency notes that the high credit rating confirms the strong safety profile of the issuer’s bond programme.
The unconditional and irrevocable guarantee provided by the Republic of Lithuania for the bond obligations is a key factor enabling the Company to expect more favorable borrowing conditions in future issuances, thereby ensuring more efficient use of public funds. The high credit rating also reflects the reliability of VIK-issued bonds and the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations in a timely manner.
The updated securities programme is intended to finance investments in strengthening Lithuania’s defense and security industry. The bonds are issued through the Nasdaq Vilnius exchange and are targeted at professional investors.
Funds raised from capital markets will be invested in the development of Lithuania’s defense and security industry. The Company has also made a strategic decision to invest up to EUR 71.05 million in the artillery ammunition manufacturing facility of UAB “Rheinmetall Defense Lietuva”. The new plant will produce 155 mm artillery shells for the armed forces of Lithuania and NATO allied countries.