There was a greater value of bonds issued in the Middle East in the first half of the year than in any corresponding period since records began in 1980.
Issuers put $57.4 billion of new paper onto the market in the period, an increase of 53% compared with the first six months of 2016, according to data from Thomson Reuters.
Saudi Arabia was the most active issuer in the region, account for more than a fifth of bond issuance by value. Kuwait came second with 18%.
The results reveal a trend for governments, government-related entities and corporates to turn to the debt markets for funding. Last year also broke records thanks to large issues from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others.
Issuers in the Middle East have found the debt markets fairly accommodating, with global investors eager to allocate capital to governments and corporates which are generally well capitalised.
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