Bharat Bond ETF Public Issue To Open On December 12

The country's first PSU corporate bond ETF, Bharat Bond exchange-traded fund (ETF), will remain open for subscription from December 12 to December 20. The government today said the issue has received the go-ahead from the SEBI.

The initial base size of the issue has been fixed at Rs. 7000 crore, with a green shoe option of additional Rs. 8000 crore.

On December 4, the Union Cabinet cleared the setting up of as well as the introduction of the Bharat Bond ETF that would allow retail participation. The ETF will put investors' money in 3-year and 10-year government securities. Through the public offer, PSUs namely NABARD, HUDCO, NHAI, PFC, REC, PGCIL, IRFC, NHPC, NTPC would borrow funds.

After the overwhelming response from equity ETFs including CPSE ETF and Bharat 22, the government in the Union Budget 2019 announced plans to launch debt ETFs of public sector companies.

Last week the finance minister in a media briefing said, "We are giving the retail investor an option to earn more than the fixed deposit rate, and also participate in the development of the country. Bharat bond ETF will be the first corporate bond ETF in the country". Through the offer, retail investors will have an opportunity to deploy their funds in quality PSU debt with an investment of as less as Rs. 1000.

The ETF will come with a fixed maturity term and the units will be listed on the bourses.

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