Crédit Agricole CIB secures its first public-private partnership (PPP) financing in the Norwegian market
Crédit Agricole CIB successfully finalised its first motorway PPP project in the Norwegian market, acting as mandated lead arranger in a financing of approximately NOK 8 billion. The RV555 motorway project is the fifth PPP project awarded by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. It includes the development of approximately 40 km of roads, a four-lane bridge of approximately 900 meters and four new twin-tube road tunnels. The project is seen as essential infrastructure to ensure the continued and sustainable growth of the region.
The aim is to improve traffic safety and regularity in the country by replacing existing obsolete and saturated infrastructure. This transaction confirms Crédit Agricole CIB’s position as a key global player in infrastructure projects and strengthens its expertise in the road PPP sector.
The European Commission raises 8 billion euros as part of the NextGenerationEU programme
On 12 July, the European Commission issued EUR 8 billion in a two-tranche transaction undertaken as part of NextGenerationEU, the stimulus scheme. This transaction is the 11th syndicated transaction carried out as part of NextGenerationEU (NGEU), as well as the first transaction of the Commission’s 2022 financing plan, announced on 24 June 2022. It consists of a new EUR 5 billion 7-year bond maturing on 4 December 2029 and a EUR 3 billion top-up of an existing 20-year bond maturing on 4 July 2041. Crédit Agricole CIB was mandated as joint bookrunner for this transaction.
In 2022, the Commission raised around EUR 50 billion under the NGEU programme, with additional funding of EUR 9 billion for macro-financial assistance (MFA) loans to support Ukraine; and up to EUR 6.6 billion for loans under the European Instrument for Emergency Unemployment Risk Reduction (SURE) programme.
A EUR 1.6 BN TRANSACTION IN THE FIBRE SECTOR FOR VAUBAN INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS AND BOUYGUES TELECOM
Crédit Agricole CIB acted as an advisor to Vauban Infrastructure Partners in forming SDFAST (Société de Développement de la Fibre Au Service des Territoires) – a recently created joint venture owned by Vauban and Bouygues Telecom – and successfully completed the syndication of a EUR 1.6 billion financing. This transaction demonstrates Crédit Agricole CIB’s continued leadership in the European TMT sector. It is a key milestone for Vauban Infrastructure Partners, making Vauban Infra Fibre the first independent platform to offer broadband access all over France through its various subsidiaries. It is also strategic for Bouygues Telecom, which has now fully secured its FTTH access across all French regions.
Crédit Agricole CIB is Bouygues’ financial advisor for the acquisition of Equans
Crédit Agricole CIB acted as Bouygues’ financial advisor for its historic acquisition from Engie of Equans, its large multi-technical services entity. This transaction makes Bouygues a world leader in the dynamic multi-technical services market, whose activities are at the centre of the environmental, industrial and digital transitions. They offer solutions for optimising energy consumption, which is crucial in the current environment. This transaction is the largest acquisition ever made by Bouygues. It also illustrates the close ties between Crédit Agricole CIB and Bouygues and is a landmark transaction that highlights the Bank’s expertise in the industry and services sector.