Hazine, an asset leasing company incorporated solely for the purpose of participating in this transaction, is wholly owned by the Republic of Turkey, acting through the Undersecretariat of the Treasury.
The rating reflects Fitch’s judgement that the Sukuk can be considered an unconditional, unsubordinated and general obligation of the Republic of Turkey, ranking equally with Turkey’s other senior unsecured obligations. The rating is therefore in line with Turkey’s Long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ’BBB-’ on which the Outlook is Stable.
The Sukuk follows an ijara’ (leasing) structure. The issuer has purchased publicly-owned real estate from the Republic of Turkey using the proceeds from the Sukuk. These assets have been leased back to the Republic for a period equal to the tenor of the Sukuk; in return the Republic makes semi-annual rental payments to the issuer at least equal to periodic distribution amounts made by the issuer to the Sukuk investors.
The transaction documents incorporate a purchase undertaking requiring the Republic to repurchase the assets on maturity (or earlier, in the event of dissolution/default), together with any outstanding distribution. Certificates are unsecured and certificate holders have no direct recourse to the lease assets.
While certain transaction documents relating to this issue, being governed by English law, may not be enforceable under applicable law, including Turkish law, Fitch’s rating for the certificates reflects the agency’s belief that the Republic of Turkey would stand behind its obligations under the transaction documents.
By assigning a rating to the certificates, Fitch does not express an opinion on the Sukuk structure’s compliance with Sharia principles.
Fitch upgraded Republic of Turkey’s sovereign ratings to ’BBB-’, the bottom rung of investment grade, on 5 November 2012.
