CaixaBank closes its first project financing in New Zealand

CaixaBank has announced that it has closed its first project financing operation in New Zealand with its participation in the debt refinancing of the highway connecting Foy and Warkworth in the North Island of the archipelago, totaling 779 million new. Zealand dollars (about 430 million euros, according to the company).

In a statement, the bank pointed out that it is the only European company in the group of seven banks, with a ticket of 80 million New Zealand dollars (about 45 million euros).

Built under a public-private partnership model between the New Zealand government and private consortium Northern Express Group (NX2), the Ara Thono Expressway connects the towns of Foy and Warkworth in the Northland region north of Auckland (New Zealand).

With its latest operation in June 2023, the 18.5 kilometer road ensures greater connectivity between Auckland and the north of the island. The new line allows for less traffic congestion along the corridor, greater efficiency, more reliable travel times and greater road safety for all users, increasing economic and demographic growth in the region.

“CaixaBank’s participation in the refinancing of the Ara Thono Highway was the first financing project in Australia as a result of the company’s efforts to continue growing in the maritime continent after the refinancing of Sydney Light Rail closes in 2021. The company’s first sustainable financing operation (green debt) in the entire Asia-Pacific region.” The company said.

CaixaBank has been present in Oceania since 2018, when it opened its representative office in Sydney (Australia), becoming the only Spanish bank in the country.