NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fitch Ratings has assigned a long-term foreign currency rating of 'BB+' to Costa Rica's USD1 billion global bond issuance maturing March 12, 2045. The bonds have a coupon rate of 7.158%.
The proceeds will be used for the refinancing of domestic and external sovereign debt.
KEY RATING DRIVERS
Costa Rica's ratings are underpinned by its capacity to attract large foreign investment into high value-added manufacturing and services industries. The country remains a competitive jurisdiction among regional and rating peers thanks to its strong social development indicators, well-educated workforce, political stability, rule of law and active free-trade agreements with China and the U.S. Adequate international reserves and a well-diversified export base enhance the economy's capacity to absorb adverse terms-of-trade shocks.
Nonetheless, Costa Rica's high structural fiscal deficits, slower economic growth and difficulties in implementing tax reforms over the last decade have led to worsening debt dynamics. Fitch expects fiscal deficits to remain elevated at 6% of GDP in 2015-2016 in the absence of material progress on tax-enhancing measures. Fitch forecasts that the debt burden could surpass the 'BB' median of 40% in 2016 and would not stabilize before 2019, even if a frontloaded budget adjustment is assumed. Growth underperformance and rising borrowings costs pose downside risks to the pace of fiscal consolidation.
RATING SENSITIVITIES
The rating would be sensitive to any changes in Costa Rica's long-term foreign currency IDR. Fitch affirmed Costa Rica's ratings at 'BB+' but revised their Outlooks to Negative from Stable on Jan. 22, 2015.
Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
--'Sovereign Rating Methodology' (Aug. 12, 2014);
--'Country Ceilings' (Aug. 28, 2014).
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
Sovereign Rating Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=754428
Country Ceilings
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=752194
Additional Disclosure
Solicitation Status
http://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=980905
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