Mumbai, Feb 2. (PTI): German banking major, Deutsche Bank, has emerged as the number one arranger of foreign currency bonds for Indian borrowers in 2006.

Deutsche Bank AG also occupied the sole position as arranger of major currency debt in Asia, for Governments and corporates in the year just gone by, a statement by the bank quoting data released by Deologic said here.

In India, the bank retained its position by managing a series of landmark deals, which included a $400-million deal for ICICI Bank, a $150-million deal for UTI Bank as well as the longest-dated bond in Japanese yen from an Asian borrower, with a 10-year deal for Reliance Industries.

In equity-linked deals, Deutsche Bank executed the largest ever capital market financing for an Indian pharmaceutical, with a $440 million deal for Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

The bank was also the sole book runner on the $500 million convertible bond for the Anil Ambani-spearheaded Reliance Communications Ltd.

"Deutsche Bank has invested significantly in its Indian business to provide a comprehensive investment banking service supported by the Bank's strong regional and global network," said Gunit Chadha, Managing Director & CEO of the bank in the country.

Chadha further said, the bank worked closely with its clients providing them access to international capital "that will fund growth and assist with the continued expansion of the Indian economy."

Overall, Deutsche Bank arranged seven bond deals in India last year worth a total of $1.641-billion and nine equity-linked deals worth $1.107-billion, Deologic said.

In Asia, excluding Japan, Deutsche Bank completed a total of 30 deals worth $4.85 billion in 2006 in Dollar, Euro and Yen Asia bonds.