ASIA-PACIFIC

摘要

The Melbourne metro tunnel project is set to offer a rare opportunity for retail lenders to participate in the financing of a major public-private partnership in Australia. With financial close now imminent, the A$3.5bn (US$2.6bn) 7.75-year financing is heading for syndication. The 11 lead banks plan to syndicate A$lbn of the debt, in a rare test of appetite among lenders for longer-term project financings, especially the 5.5-year construction portion. Victoria state's largest public transport project includes the construction of a nine-kilometre tunnel and five new underground stations.