31.   It is the first syndicated loan that Bangchak has received with a guarantee provided by the Finance Ministry.

32.   It is the latest in a recent series of medium-term syndicated loans by foreign banks as they cautiously enter a market they view as risky but promising.

33.   Since then, the government has preferred to raise syndicated loans from overseas banks.

34.   The bank borrowers for syndicated loans covered various industries including whole-sale, electronics, textiles, toys and property.

35.   The project was financed by Dubal and a five-year syndicated loan arranged by Merrill Lynch.

36.   The syndicated loan, led by Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, is the largest-ever yuan-denominated loan, the bank said.

37.   The syndicated loan was led by Societe Generale of France and Citibank.

38.   They noted that falling margins in the syndicated loans market in this region have also been a stimulus for recent ALBA borrowings.

39.   This includes two-thirds of a previous syndicated loan not yet drawn down.

40.   He said a separate merchant banking division was being set up and the bank was also keen to enter the syndicated loans sector.