Gov't confident of investor interest, plans to raise $4.5B.

Byline: Diane Claire J. Jiao

THE GOVERNMENT is confident it can capitalize on the current investor interest in Asia, as it seeks to raise $500 million more through bond issuances this year.

"There is a strong appetite for emerging markets because of the problems in Europe and America. There is high liquidity. The market is very active," Finance Undersecretary Rosalia V. de Leon said in an interview yesterday.

European markets are currently saddled with a debt crisis, while the US recently suffered a credit outlook downgrade.

The government already raised $1.25 billion from global peso bonds in January, Asia's first global local-currency debt …