Mayer Brown JSM advised Bank of Communications International Holdings Co. as sole global coordinator of the Republic of Maldives' recent issuance of US$200 million 7.0% notes due 2022.

BOCOM International (BOCMI) is the securities arm of China's fifth-largest bank. The debut US dollar bond issued by the island nation marked the first transaction in which a Chinese investment bank has been the sole lead of an international sovereign bond issuance.

Thomas Kollar, lead partner of the transaction, said: "This transaction is a prime example of the emergence of Chinese investment banks, in this case BOCOMI, and their strength in leading complex deals to the market and delivering for their clients. It was a great transaction for the government, and we were very happy to be a part of such a successful trade."

With deep experience in cross-border international capital and debt markets transactions, the firm previously advised on another landmark sovereign transaction this year, the Government of Mongolia's issuance of US$600 million 8.75% notes due 2024 in March 2017, and other milestone transactions in the country.

The team was led by Corporate & Securities partner Thomas Kollar and included partner Jason T. Elder in Hong Kong.