Inaugural Global Bonds

BHP Billiton Limited
11 April 2003

     BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
  obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

    The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                    earlier.



Date: 11 April 2003
Number: 11/03

              BHP BILLITON INTENDS TO ISSUE INAUGURAL GLOBAL BOND

BHP Billiton today announced its intention to issue an inaugural global bond.
The Company is looking to raise US$750 million with a maturity of 10 years, the
proceeds of which will be used to repay existing debt and for general corporate
purposes. The bonds, to be raised in US$, have been registered with the SEC and
application will be made for the listing of the bonds on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange. The issuer of the notes will be BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd and the
notes will be guaranteed by BHP Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Limited. BHP
Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Limited are both rated by Standard & Poor's as A
(positive outlook) and by Moody's as A2 (stable outlook).

The joint book runners for the issue are Citigroup and J.P. Morgan.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These
securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time
the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall
there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification
under the securities laws of any such state.


Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations                              United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]                  Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
email: [e-mail]                         Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
                                                              email: [e-mail]
Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations                             South Africa
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]                  Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
email: [e-mail]                       Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
                                                              email: [e-mail]
United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
email: [e-mail]


BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077                 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia                                 Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United
3000                                                    Kingdom
Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]     Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]

              The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange