UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-07694

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

John H. Gernon

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

212-296-0289

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31,

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2016

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Directors

Frank L. Bowman

Kathleen A. Dennis

Nancy C. Everett

Jakki L. Haussler

James F. Higgins

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

Joseph J. Kearns

Michael F. Klein

Michael E. Nugent,

Chair of the Board

W. Allen Reed

Fergus Reid

Officers

John H. Gernon

President and Principal Executive Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu

Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph C. Benedetti

Vice President

Francis J. Smith

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin

Secretary

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Stockholder Servicing Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

211 Quality Circle, Suite 210

College Station, Texas 77845

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

1177 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

200 Clarendon Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

For additional Fund information, including the Fund's net asset value per share and information regarding the investments comprising the Fund's portfolio, please call toll free 1 (800) 231-2608 or visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im. All investments involve risks, including the possible loss of principal.

© 2016 Morgan Stanley.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley
Investment Management Inc.
Adviser

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.
NYSE: MSD

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2016

CEMSDSAN
1560711 EXP 8.31.17




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Table of Contents

Letter to Stockholders

   

3

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

12

   

Statement of Operations

   

13

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

14

   

Financial Highlights

   

15

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

16

   

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval

   

29

   

Portfolio Management

   

32

   

Investment Policy

   

33

   

Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan

   

38

   

Privacy Notice

   

39

   


2



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Letter to Stockholders (unaudited)

Performance

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") had total returns of 10.85%, based on net asset value, and 11.58% based on market value per share (including reinvestment of distributions), compared to its benchmark, the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index (the "Index")*, which returned 10.90%. On June 30, 2016, the closing price of the Fund's shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $9.26, representing a 14.4 % discount to the Fund's net asset value per share. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The year started on rocky footing with concerns about global growth and commodity prices weighing on the market. Sentiment improved heading into February, and emerging markets (EM) fixed income assets turned the corner as energy and commodity prices rebounded and China fears eased in tandem with a weaker U.S. dollar and accommodative central bank policies. The recovery was driven by attractive valuations and a favorable backdrop set by dovish communications from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), as well as policy easing measures by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the People's Bank of China (PBOC). Contributing to the strength in performance for the first half of the year was the return of investors who added $8.3 billion to the asset class.i

•  The U.K.'s Brexit vote dominated the market's focus toward the half-way point of 2016 as investors mulled the potential ramifications. Although the Brexit outcome resulted in a pickup in market volatility, weakness was generally short-lived, seeming to confirm anecdotal evidence that investors had built cash positions looking to take advantage of opportunities in the event of a sharp sell-off. Moreover, EM fixed income assets benefited from a global reach for duration as developed market central bank tightening fears receded further as the Fed held interest rates steady (with one eye on Brexit and the other on U.S. labor data) and other central banks, including Argentina, Indonesia and Russia, cut interest rates. Monetary authorities across the globe also readied supportive measures such as swap lines and currency reserve buffers to address any market disruptions stemming from the Brexit vote. The immediate impact on EM economies was limited to financial market channels, with currencies marginally weakening versus the U.S. dollar. The medium-to-long-term economic impact is still unknown as the pace and path, if at all, of Britain's exit from the European Union, will depend on the actual nature and shape Brexit will take, the length of the process and volatility that the uncertainty would generate. The broader issue for EM economies is whether the vote signals the start of political changes that will lead to protectionist trends and lower global trade, which would add to the headwinds for emerging markets. Latin America is a notable standout against this trend with governments from the Pacific Alliance trade bloc (including Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru) meeting to discuss cross-border investment, innovation and financial services to encourage foreign investment in energy and infrastructure, as well as reducing tariffs and increasing financial linkages.

•  Issuers took advantage of the surprisingly favorable market with a number of corporate and sovereign deals being placed in the market. Oman returned to international debt markets after 19 years with a $2.5 billion issue to fund a budget deficit exacerbated by the downturn in oil prices.ii Argentina continued to access international debt markets with a number of provincial and corporate deals taking advantage of the opening provided by the government's resolution of a dispute with holdout creditors from previous defaults. President Macri needs to maintain popular support and make concessions to continue toward his goal of revitalizing the Argentine economy.


3



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Letter to Stockholders (unaudited) (cont'd)

•  Brazil completed its seven-year ratings roundtrip after Moody's stripped the country of its final investment grade rating, while policymakers were distracted by the far-reaching corruption, Lava Jato (or Car Wash), which continued to claim political and business leaders as President Dilma Rousseff was impeached. Vice President Michel Temer was elevated to acting president but despite a strong start toward making the necessary changes in reforming the economy, his acting administration was marred by allegations that his appointed planning minister, Romero Juca, was attempting to obstruct the Lava Jato corruption probe.

•  In a positive surprise to the market, South Africa's foreign currency rating was affirmed at BBB- by S&P, with the outlook remaining negative. However, the country's rating remains at risk given the political volatility and fiscal situation. Other positive news included Hungary's foreign credit rating being upgraded to investment grade (BBB-) from BB+ by Fitch. The country is still rated below investment grade by Moody's and S&P, but investors believe the remaining agencies could take similar actions over the next year.

•  Contributing to relative performance during the period were the Fund's overweight positions and security selection in Argentina, Indonesia and Mexico, as well as overweight positions in Zambia, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Kenya. Security selection in South Africa also contributed to relative performance.

•  Detracting from relative performance during the period was security selection in Venezuela, Brazil, Russia and Nigeria, as well as positioning in Ghana.

•  The use of U.S. Treasury futures, used to manage interest rate duration, detracted from relative performance in the period.

Management Strategies

•  After a turbulent start of the year, followed by Brexit in June, we are still cautiously optimistic due to the stabilization in energy prices, reduced Fed hike fears and diminished China hard landing concerns. While one more Fed hike is likely by year-end, overall supportive developed market monetary policies combined with lower China fears will likely remain the main drivers of asset price performance in the third quarter of 2016. We note that June's stronger performance, which largely offset May's weakness, was mostly driven by a duration appetite piqued by recent statements of further easing by the Bank of England and potential laxer terms for the ECB's quantitative easing program. To see a continued rally with more-lasting effects we need to see a turn in EM economic fundamentals, a stable U.S. dollar and range-bound developed market rates. The resilience of EM assets to Brexit fears was encouraging, and in our view, sets the stage for the asset classes to deliver their carry over the summer.

•  We believe that EM assets could absorb one to two rate hikes in 2016, though they remain vulnerable to more hawkish surprises, especially if they do not reflect an upward assessment in U.S./global growth prospects, but instead incipient inflationary concerns. The inflationary environment should remain relatively benign for the world as a whole, especially post-Brexit and with unresolved China vulnerability. Core consumer price inflation should show ongoing signs of stabilization/recovery in the U.S. as the output gap was largely closed by year-end 2015. Deflationary pressures from lower commodity prices should start to fade if we are right that oil has troughed and recovers further in the second half of 2016.


4



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Letter to Stockholders (unaudited) (cont'd)

•  Broadly, we expect a modest rebound in EM growth for the rest of 2016 and 2017 as the negative impacts from Brazil and Russia lessen. China's growth slowdown is likely to continue in the medium term, though we expect stability in the short term and were surprised we haven't seen more of a growth rebound on the back of the aggressive policy response through fiscal policy, required reserve ratio adjustments and rate cuts. The stabilization of the U.S. dollar has provided the renminbi a welcome respite and allowed the authorities to successfully manage the Chinese currency vis-à-vis the basket of currencies while allowing foreign exchange reserve losses to slow. We expect "official" growth to slow to 6.5% with "actual" growth at around 5% in 2016. In our opinion, the gradual shift toward managing the renminbi against a basket of currencies reduces the risk of an abrupt devaluation while China is the president of the G20 this year.

•  Despite a narrowing of the emerging market/developed market growth differential and a weakening of fundamentals following the global financial crisis, EM economies, in our opinion, are still in better health than they were 10 to 15 years ago, supported by generally lower levels of external debt as a percentage of gross domestic product, freely floating exchange rates, relatively large buffers in the form of foreign currency reserves and growing local debt markets supported by generally robust and well-capitalized banking systems, limiting the risks of external funding pressures inflicting severe damage on their economies. In the absence of extremely attractive valuations and/or an improving fundamental outlook, EM economies must recommit to structural reforms to address economic challenges and restore widespread faith by the investment community. For long-term investors, EM debt still offers attractive real yields, providing yield advantages and potential spread compression, which could provide a buffer should interest rates rise in the U.S., but downside surprises in China are likely to remain the major potential headwind for commodity prices and the asset class in our opinion. With many in the market forecasting moderate global growth and low inflation, we believe EM debt should perform reasonably well for investors looking for diversification, yield and total return potential.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer  July 2016

*The J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging markets sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady Bonds, loans, Eurobonds and local market instruments for emerging market countries. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

i Source: J.P. Morgan, June 30, 2016

ii Source: Bloomberg.com


5




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)



  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES (89.5%)

 

Argentina (6.3%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.2%)

 
IRSA Propiedades
Comerciales SA,
8.75%, 3/23/23 (a)
 

$

520

   

$

554

   

Sovereign (6.1%)

 
Argentina Bonar Bonds,
33.24%, 10/9/17 (b)
 

ARS

14,020

     

958

   
Argentine Republic Government
International Bond,
6.88%, 4/22/21 (a)
 

$

2,500

     

2,672

   

7.50%, 4/22/26 (a)

   

3,030

     

3,283

   

7.63%, 4/22/46 (a)(c)

   

770

     

834

   
Province of Salta Argentina,
9.13%, 7/7/24 (a)
   

1,330

     

1,330

   
Provincia de Buenos Aires,
5.75%, 6/15/19 (a)
   

1,420

     

1,439

   
Provincia de Cordoba,
7.13%, 6/10/21 (a)
   

1,432

     

1,439

   
Republic of Argentina,
2.50%, 12/31/38 (d)
   

1,750

     

1,186

   

7.13%, 7/6/36 (a)

   

2,320

     

2,320

   
         

15,461

   
         

16,015

   

Brazil (5.7%)

 

Corporate Bonds (3.0%)

 
Banco Safra SA,
6.75%, 1/27/21
   

690

     

735

   

6.75%, 1/27/21 (a)(c)

   

1,360

     

1,448

   
CIMPOR Financial Operations BV,
5.75%, 7/17/24 (a)
   

1,318

     

985

   
Minerva Luxembourg SA,
8.75%, 4/3/19 (a)(b)(e)
   

1,290

     

1,309

   
Petrobras Global Finance BV,
8.38%, 5/23/21
   

3,030

     

3,135

   
         

7,612

   

Sovereign (2.7%)

 
Brazil Minas SPE via State of
Minas Gerais,
5.33%, 2/15/28 (a)
   

2,750

     

2,468

   

5.33%, 2/15/28

   

1,900

     

1,705

   


  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 
Brazilian Government
International Bond,
5.00%, 1/27/45
 

$

2,988

   

$

2,697

   
         

6,870

   
         

14,482

   

Chile (2.7%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.1%)

 
Colbun SA,
4.50%, 7/10/24 (a)
   

1,372

     

1,437

   
Empresa Electrica Angamos SA,
4.88%, 5/25/29 (a)
   

1,290

     

1,272

   
         

2,709

   

Sovereign (1.6%)

 
Empresa Nacional del Petroleo,
4.75%, 12/6/21
   

2,105

     

2,241

   

5.25%, 8/10/20

   

1,600

     

1,733

   
         

3,974

   
         

6,683

   

China (3.2%)

 

Sovereign (3.2%)

 
Sinopec Group Overseas
Development 2013 Ltd.,
4.38%, 10/17/23
   

4,740

     

5,124

   
Three Gorges Finance I
Cayman Islands Ltd.,
2.30%, 6/2/21 (a)
   

2,000

     

2,030

   

3.70%, 6/10/25 (a)

   

780

     

843

   
         

7,997

   

Colombia (2.0%)

 

Sovereign (2.0%)

 
Colombia Government
International Bond,
4.38%, 7/12/21
   

1,460

     

1,571

   

5.00%, 6/15/45 (c)

   

2,400

     

2,502

   

11.75%, 2/25/20

   

815

     

1,078

   
         

5,151

   

Dominican Republic (2.6%)

 

Sovereign (2.6%)

 
Dominican Republic
International Bond,
6.85%, 1/27/45 (a)
   

4,182

     

4,349

   

6.88%, 1/29/26 (a)

   

1,215

     

1,344

   

7.45%, 4/30/44 (a)

   

666

     

736

   
         

6,429

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


6



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)



  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Gabon (0.4%)

 

Sovereign (0.4%)

 
Republic of Gabon,
6.95%, 6/16/25 (a)
 

$

1,200

   

$

1,053

   

Guatemala (0.4%)

 

Sovereign (0.4%)

 
Guatemala Government Bond,
4.50%, 5/3/26 (a)
   

890

     

907

   

Honduras (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 
Republic of Honduras,
8.75%, 12/16/20
   

1,030

     

1,159

   

Hungary (2.8%)

 

Sovereign (2.8%)

 
Hungary Government
International Bond,
4.00%, 3/25/19 (c)
   

152

     

158

   

5.38%, 3/25/24

   

1,358

     

1,519

   

5.75%, 11/22/23

   

730

     

832

   

6.38%, 3/29/21

   

1,050

     

1,197

   

7.63%, 3/29/41 (c)

   

2,220

     

3,225

   
         

6,931

   

Indonesia (8.8%)

 

Sovereign (8.8%)

 
Indonesia Government
International Bond,
4.13%, 1/15/25
   

1,270

     

1,326

   

4.75%, 1/8/26 (a)

   

1,360

     

1,484

   

5.13%, 1/15/45 (a)(c)

   

1,530

     

1,629

   

5.88%, 1/15/24 (a)

   

1,200

     

1,392

   

5.88%, 1/15/24

   

4,360

     

5,058

   

5.95%, 1/8/46 (a)

   

1,360

     

1,606

   

7.75%, 1/17/38

   

2,429

     

3,309

   
Majapahit Holding BV,
7.75%, 1/20/20
   

1,029

     

1,179

   
Pertamina Persero PT,
4.30%, 5/20/23
   

2,100

     

2,140

   

4.88%, 5/3/22

   

1,050

     

1,107

   

6.45%, 5/30/44 (a)

   

1,720

     

1,829

   
         

22,059

   


  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Iraq (0.3%)

 

Sovereign (0.3%)

 
Republic of Iraq,
5.80%, 1/15/28
 

$

1,100

   

$

842

   

Ivory Coast (1.2%)

 

Sovereign (1.2%)

 
Ivory Coast Government
International Bond,
5.38%, 7/23/24 (a)
   

830

     

782

   

5.75%, 12/31/32

   

2,495

     

2,329

   
         

3,111

   

Jamaica (1.1%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.4%)

 
Digicel Group Ltd.,
8.25%, 9/30/20
   

1,150

     

966

   

Sovereign (0.7%)

 
Jamaica Government
International Bond,
7.63%, 7/9/25
   

780

     

873

   

7.88%, 7/28/45

   

870

     

931

   
         

1,804

   
         

2,770

   

Kazakhstan (2.5%)

 

Sovereign (2.5%)

 
Development Bank of
Kazakhstan JSC,
4.13%, 12/10/22 (a)(c)
   

278

     

273

   
KazAgro National Management
Holding JSC,
4.63%, 5/24/23 (a)
   

1,390

     

1,279

   
Kazakhstan Government
International Bond,
5.13%, 7/21/25 (a)(c)
   

2,100

     

2,307

   
KazMunayGas National Co., JSC,
9.13%, 7/2/18
   

2,180

     

2,425

   
         

6,284

   

Lithuania (0.9%)

 

Sovereign (0.9%)

 
Lithuania Government
International Bond,
6.63%, 2/1/22
   

1,350

     

1,633

   

7.38%, 2/11/20

   

500

     

591

   
         

2,224

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


7



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)



  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Mexico (11.0%)

 

Corporate Bonds (2.1%)

 
Alfa SAB de CV,
6.88%, 3/25/44
 

$

1,340

   

$

1,390

   
Fermaca Enterprises S de RL de CV,
6.38%, 3/30/38 (a)
   

1,851

     

1,851

   
Nemak SAB de CV,
5.50%, 2/28/23 (a)
   

440

     

458

   

5.50%, 2/28/23

   

1,500

     

1,560

   
         

5,259

   

Sovereign (8.9%)

 
Mexico Government
International Bond,
3.60%, 1/30/25
   

3,450

     

3,614

   

4.60%, 1/23/46

   

2,080

     

2,202

   

6.05%, 1/11/40

   

898

     

1,133

   
Petroleos Mexicanos,
4.88%, 1/24/22
   

1,863

     

1,909

   

5.63%, 1/23/46

   

2,000

     

1,831

   

6.38%, 1/23/45

   

2,520

     

2,545

   

6.50%, 6/2/41

   

2,600

     

2,646

   

6.63%, 6/15/35 - 6/15/38

   

2,780

     

2,852

   

6.88%, 8/4/26 (a)

   

1,260

     

1,412

   

8.63%, 12/1/23

   

1,990

     

2,353

   
         

22,497

   
         

27,756

   

Namibia (0.6%)

 

Sovereign (0.6%)

 
Namibia International Bonds,
5.25%, 10/29/25 (a)
   

1,402

     

1,434

   

Nigeria (0.6%)

 

Sovereign (0.6%)

 
Nigeria Government
International Bond,
6.38%, 7/12/23
   

1,670

     

1,616

   

Panama (1.6%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.6%)

 
Aeropuerto Internacional de
Tocumen SA,
5.63%, 5/18/36 (a)(c)
   

1,530

     

1,538

   


  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Sovereign (1.0%)

 
Panama Government
International Bond,
4.00%, 9/22/24
 

$

1,434

   

$

1,545

   

5.20%, 1/30/20

   

460

     

511

   

8.88%, 9/30/27

   

263

     

388

   
         

2,444

   
         

3,982

   

Paraguay (1.0%)

 

Sovereign (1.0%)

 
Republic of Paraguay,
4.63%, 1/25/23 (a)(c)
   

880

     

920

   

6.10%, 8/11/44 (a)

   

1,420

     

1,530

   
         

2,450

   

Peru (2.5%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.1%)

 
Banco de Credito del Peru,
6.13%, 4/24/27 (a)(b)
   

1,680

     

1,849

   
Union Andina de Cementos SAA,
5.88%, 10/30/21 (a)
   

960

     

975

   
         

2,824

   

Sovereign (1.4%)

 
Corporación Financiera de
Desarrollo SA,
5.25%, 7/15/29 (a)(b)(c)
   

978

     

1,005

   
Fondo MIVIVIENDA SA,
3.50%, 1/31/23 (a)
   

491

     

492

   
Peruvian Government
International Bond,
6.55%, 3/14/37 (c)
   

1,550

     

2,096

   
         

3,593

   
         

6,417

   

Philippines (3.1%)

 

Sovereign (3.1%)

 
Philippine Government
International Bond,
3.95%, 1/20/40 (c)
   

3,514

     

4,060

   

9.50%, 2/2/30

   

2,200

     

3,772

   
         

7,832

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


8



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)



  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Poland (1.4%)

 

Sovereign (1.4%)

 
Poland Government
International Bond,
3.00%, 3/17/23 (c)
 

$

2,250

   

$

2,293

   

4.00%, 1/22/24

   

570

     

616

   

5.00%, 3/23/22

   

470

     

530

   
         

3,439

   

Romania (0.8%)

 

Sovereign (0.8%)

 
Romanian Government
International Bond,
4.38%, 8/22/23
   

2,000

     

2,144

   

Russia (7.4%)

 

Sovereign (7.4%)

 
Russian Foreign Bond - Eurobond,
4.50%, 4/4/22
   

15,200

     

16,283

   

5.63%, 4/4/42

   

400

     

454

   
SCF Capital Ltd.,
5.38%, 6/16/23 (a)(c)
   

1,950

     

1,964

   
   

   

18,701

   

Serbia (1.8%)

 

Sovereign (1.8%)

 
Republic of Serbia,
7.25%, 9/28/21
   

3,945

     

4,525

   

South Africa (1.8%)

 

Sovereign (1.8%)

 
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.,
5.75%, 1/26/21 (a)(c)
   

2,556

     

2,540

   

7.13%, 2/11/25 (a)(c)

   

1,940

     

1,927

   
         

4,467

   

Sri Lanka (1.1%)

 

Sovereign (1.1%)

 
Sri Lanka Government
International Bond,
6.25%, 10/4/20
   

100

     

102

   

6.25%, 10/4/20 (a)

   

650

     

665

   

6.85%, 11/3/25 (a)

   

1,980

     

1,939

   
         

2,706

   


  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Tunisia (0.4%)

 

Sovereign (0.4%)

 
Banque Centrale de Tunisie SA,
5.75%, 1/30/25 (a)
 

$

1,210

   

$

1,103

   

Turkey (5.2%)

 

Sovereign (5.2%)

 
Export Credit Bank of Turkey,
5.88%, 4/24/19 (a)
   

2,100

     

2,231

   
Turkey Government
International Bond,
3.25%, 3/23/23
   

3,100

     

3,011

   

4.88%, 4/16/43

   

1,800

     

1,763

   

5.63%, 3/30/21

   

4,350

     

4,752

   

6.88%, 3/17/36

   

1,000

     

1,222

   
         

12,979

   

Ukraine (2.8%)

 

Sovereign (2.8%)

 
Ukraine Government
International Bond,
7.75%, 9/1/22 - 9/1/26
   

7,300

     

6,973

   

Venezuela (4.2%)

 

Sovereign (4.2%)

 
Petroleos de Venezuela SA,
6.00%, 11/15/26
   

29,870

     

10,490

   

Zambia (0.8%)

 

Sovereign (0.8%)

 
Zambia Government
International Bond,
8.50%, 4/14/24
   

1,740

     

1,521

   

8.97%, 7/30/27 (a)

   

720

     

626

   
         

2,147

   
TOTAL FIXED INCOME SECURITIES (Cost $220,544)        

225,258

   
    No. of
Warrants
     

WARRANTS (0.1%)

 

Nigeria (0.1%)

 
Central Bank of Nigeria, expires
11/15/20 (b)(f)
   

2,250

     

163

   

Venezuela (0.0%)

 
Venezuela Government International
Bond, Oil-Linked Payment
Obligation, expires 4/15/20 (b)(f)
   

5,450

     

8

   
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $—)        

171

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


9



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)



 

Shares

 
Value
(000)
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (10.4%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (7.2%)

 

Investment Company (5.8%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds — Treasury
Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class
(See Note E)
   

14,668,069

   

$

14,668

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (1.4%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc., (0.42%,
dated 6/30/16, due 7/1/16;
proceeds $3,389; fully
collateralized by a U.S.
Government obligation;
2.00% due 8/15/25;
valued at $3,457)
 

$

3,389

     

3,389

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
(0.44%, dated 6/30/16,
due 7/1/16; proceeds
$138; fully collateralized by
a U.S. Government agency
security; 4.50% due
4/20/44; valued at $141)
   

138

     

138

   
         

3,527

   
TOTAL SECURITIES HELD AS COLLATERAL
ON LOANED SECURITIES (Cost $18,195)
       

18,195

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (2.3%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds — Treasury
Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class
(See Note E) Cost $5,869)
   

5,869,313

     

5,869

   


  Face
Amount
(000)
 
Value
(000)
 

Argentina (0.9%)

 

Sovereign (0.9%)

 
Letras del Banco Central de la
Republica Argentina,
28.25%, 1/11/17
 

ARS

2,930

   

$

171

   

29.50%, 1/11/17

   

2,940

     

172

   

30.25%, 12/28/16

   

21,500

     

1,269

   

30.50%, 12/28/16

   

9,920

     

585

   
TOTAL SOVEREIGN (Cost $2,288)        

2,197

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $26,352)        

26,261

   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.0%) (Cost $246,896)
Including $22,091 of Securities Loaned (g)(h)
       

251,690

   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

       

(20,858

)

 

NET ASSETS

     

$

230,832

   

(a)  144A security — Certain conditions for public sale may exist. Unless otherwise noted, these securities are deemed to be liquid.

(b)  Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on June 30, 2016.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2016.

(d)  Multi-step — Coupon rate changes in predetermined increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of June 30, 2016. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

(e)  Perpetual — One or more securities do not have a predetermined maturity date. Rates for these securities are fixed for a period of time, after which they revert to a floating rate. Interest rates in effect are as of June 30, 2016.

(f)  Security has been deemed illiquid at June 30, 2016.

(g)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with open foreign currency forward exchange contracts and an open futures contract.

(h)  At June 30, 2016, the aggregate cost for Federal income tax purposes approximates the aggregate cost for book purposes. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $12,807,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $8,013,000 resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $4,794,000.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


10



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

The Fund had the following foreign currency forward exchange contracts open at June 30, 2016:

Counterparty

  Contracts
to
Deliver
(000)
  In
Exchange
For
(000)
  Delivery
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 

Citibank NA

 

ARS

9,300

   

$

565

   

12/30/16

 

$

2

   

Citibank NA

 

ARS

6,890

   

$

411

   

12/30/16

   

(5

)

 

Citibank NA

 

ARS

6,910

   

$

411

   

12/30/16

   

(7

)

 

Citibank NA

 

ARS

7,640

   

$

469

   

1/18/17

   

12

   

Citibank NA

 

ARS

2,280

   

$

140

   

1/18/17

   

4

   

Citibank NA

 

ARS

23,100

   

$

1,261

   

6/13/17

   

(20

)

 
               

$

(14

)

 

ARS —  Argentine Peso

Futures Contract:

The Fund had the following futures contract open at June 30, 2016:

    Number
of
Contracts
  Value
(000)
  Expiration
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

Short:

 
U.S. Treasury
10 yr. Note
   

72

   

$

(9,575

)

 

Sep-16

 

$

(260

)

 

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Sovereign

   

87.3

%

 

Corporate Bonds

   

9.2

   

Other**

   

3.5

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%***

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of June 30, 2016.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

***  Does not include an open short futures contract with an underlying face amount of approximately $9,575,000 with unrealized depreciation of approximately $260,000. Does not include open foreign currency forward exchange contracts with net unrealized depreciation of approximately $14,000.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


11




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  June 30, 2016
(unaudited)
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $226,359)

 

$

231,153

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $20,537)

   

20,537

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $246,896)

   

251,690

   

Cash

   

25

   

Interest Receivable

   

3,690

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

1,854

   

Receivable for Variation Margin on Futures Contracts

   

128

   

Unrealized Appreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

18

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

1

   

Other Assets

   

38

   

Total Assets

   

257,444

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

18,195

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

4,790

   

Dividends Declared

   

3,200

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

187

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

149

   

Unrealized Depreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

32

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

21

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

8

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

6

   

Payable for Stockholder Servicing Agent Fees

   

2

   

Other Liabilities

   

22

   

Total Liabilities

   

26,612

   

Net Assets

 

Applicable to 21,333,620 Issued and Outstanding $0.01 Par Value Shares (100,000,000 Shares Authorized)

 

$

230,832

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

10.82

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Common Stock

 

$

213

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

242,999

   

Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income

   

1,266

   

Accumulated Net Realized Loss

   

(18,042

)

 

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments (Net of $128 of Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

4,670

   

Futures Contracts

   

(260

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

(14

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

230,832

   

(1) Including:

 

Securities on Loan, at Value:

 

$

22,091

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


12



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statement of Operations

  Six Months Ended
June 30, 2016
(unaudited)
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Interest from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers

 

$

8,047

   

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers

   

290

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

49

   

Dividends from Securities of Affiliated Issuer (Note E)

   

5

   

Total Investment Income

   

8,391

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

1,104

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

88

   

Professional Fees

   

63

   

Stockholder Reporting Expenses

   

24

   

Custodian Fees (Note D)

   

7

   

Stockholder Servicing Agent Fees

   

4

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

29

   

Total Expenses

   

1,322

   

Waiver of Administration Fees (Note C)

   

(49

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note E)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

1,271

   

Net Investment Income

   

7,120

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold (Net of $20 of Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

(6,331

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

(120

)

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

   

(69

)

 

Futures Contracts

   

(349

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(6,869

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $87)

   

21,958

   

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

(14

)

 

Foreign Currency Translations

   

24

   

Futures Contracts

   

(268

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

21,700

   

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

14,831

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

21,951

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


13



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Six Months Ended
June 30, 2016
(unaudited)
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2015
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

7,120

   

$

12,481

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(6,869

)

   

653

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

21,700

     

(15,994

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

21,951

     

(2,860

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(6,417

)

   

(13,106

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:

 

Repurchase of Shares (169,317 and 1,112,006 shares)

   

(1,516

)

   

(10,192

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(1,516

)

   

(10,192

)

 

Total Increase (Decrease)

   

14,018

     

(26,158

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

216,814

     

242,972

   
End of Period (Including Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income of
$1,266 and $563)
 

$

230,832

   

$

216,814

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


14



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Financial Highlights

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2016
 

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

(unaudited)

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.08

   

$

10.74

   

$

10.97

   

$

13.08

   

$

11.54

   

$

11.38

   

Net Investment Income†

   

0.33

     

0.57

     

0.53

     

0.56

     

0.58

     

0.61

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

0.70

     

(0.71

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(1.73

)

   

1.59

     

0.21

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.03

     

(0.14

)

   

0.30

     

(1.17

)

   

2.17

     

0.82

   

Distributions from and/or in excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.60

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.60

)

   

(0.60

)

   

(0.62

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

     

     

(0.37

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.60

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.97

)

   

(0.63

)

   

(0.66

)

 

Anti-Dilutive Effect of Share Repurchase Program

   

0.01

     

0.08

     

0.04

     

0.03

     

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.82

   

$

10.08

   

$

10.74

   

$

10.97

   

$

13.08

   

$

11.54

   

Per Share Market Value, End of Period

 

$

9.26

   

$

8.57

   

$

9.09

   

$

9.54

   

$

11.95

   

$

10.41

   

TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:

 

Market Value

   

11.58

%#

   

0.95

%

   

1.02

%

   

(12.27

)%

   

21.04

%

   

5.73

%

 

Net Asset Value(1)

   

10.85

%#

   

0.50

%

   

3.80

%

   

(7.84

)%

   

19.51

%

   

7.93

%

 

RATIOS, SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

230,832

   

$

216,814

   

$

242,972

   

$

254,350

   

$

309,645

   

$

273,259

   

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(2)

   

1.15

%+*

   

1.16

%+

   

1.14

%+

   

1.16

%+

   

1.13

%+

   

1.14

%+

 
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets
Excluding Non Operating Expenses
   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.14

%+

   

N/A

     

1.14

%+

 
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average
Net Assets(2)
   

6.42

%+*

   

5.32

%+

   

4.73

%+

   

4.66

%+

   

4.65

%+

   

5.28

%+

 
Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates
to Average Net Assets
   

0.00

%§*

   

0.00

   

0.00

   

0.00

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

32

%#

   

38

%

   

80

%

   

85

%

   

46

%

   

46

%

 

(2) Supplemental Information on the Ratios to Average Net Assets:

                         

Ratios Before Expenses Waived by Administrator:

 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets

   

1.20

%*

   

1.21

%

   

1.19

%

   

1.21

%

   

1.18

%

   

1.19

%

 
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average
Net Assets
   

6.37

%*

   

5.27

%

   

4.68

%

   

4.61

%

   

4.60

%

   

5.23

%

 

(1)  Total investment return based on net asset value per share reflects the effects of changes in net asset value on the performance of the Fund during each period, and assumes dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a stockholder's investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the stock and the net asset value per share of the Fund.

†  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

+  The Ratios of Expenses and Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates to Average Net Assets."

§  Amount is less than 0.005%.

#  Not annualized.

*  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


15




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") was incorporated in Maryland on May 6, 1993, and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"). The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance. The Fund's primary investment objective is to produce high current income and as a secondary objective, to seek capital appreciation, through investments primarily in debt securities of government and government-related issuers located in emerging countries, of entities organized to restructure outstanding debt of such issuers and debt securities of corporate issuers in or organized under the laws of emerging countries. To the extent that the Fund invests in derivative instruments that Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") believes have economic characteristics similar to debt securities of government and government-related issuers located in emerging market countries and of entities organized to restructure outstanding debt of such issuers, such investments will be counted for purposes of meeting the Fund's investment objective. To the extent the Fund makes such investments, the Fund will be subject to the risks of such derivative instruments as described herein.

A.  Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) Bonds and other fixed income securities may be valued according to the broadest and most representative market. In addition, bonds and other fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service. The prices provided by a pricing service take into account broker-dealer market price

quotations for institutional size trading in similar groups of securities, security quality, maturity, coupon and other security characteristics as well as any developments related to the specific securities; (2) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges; (3) futures are valued at the latest price published by the commodities exchange on which they trade; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and other assets may occur between the times at which valuations of such securities are determined (that is, close of the foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE;


16



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

(6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day; and (7) short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser determines such valuation does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair market value determined by the Adviser.

  The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Fund's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Fund's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

  The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of securities and other financial instruments for which market prices are not readily available. Under these procedures, the Valuation Committee convenes on a regular and ad hoc basis to review such securities and considers a number of factors, including valuation methodologies and significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Valuation Committee may employ a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment

to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of valuation methodologies, key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.


17



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances

  The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

  The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of June 30, 2016.

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 
Fixed Income
Securities
 
Corporate
Bonds
 

$

   

$

21,462

   

$

   

$

21,462

   

Sovereign

   

     

203,796

     

     

203,796

   
Total Fixed
Income
Securities
   

     

225,258

     

     

225,258

   

Warrants

   

     

171

     

     

171

   

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets: (cont'd)

 
Short-Term
Investments
 
Investment
Company
 

$

20,537

   

$

   

$

   

$

20,537

   
Repurchase
Agreements
   

     

3,527

     

     

3,527

   

Sovereign

   

     

2,197

     

     

2,197

   
Total
Short-Term
Investments
   

20,537

     

5,724

     

     

26,261

   
Foreign
Currency
Forward
Exchange
Contracts
   

     

18

     

     

18

   

Total Assets

   

20,537

     

231,171

     

     

251,708

   

Liabilities:

 
Foreign
Currency
Forward
Exchange
Contracts
   

     

(32

)

   

     

(32

)

 
Futures
Contract
   

(260

)

   

     

     

(260

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

(260

)

   

(32

)

   

     

(292

)

 

Total

 

$

20,277

   

$

231,139

   

$

   

$

251,416

   

  Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes. The Fund recognizes transfers between the levels as of the end of the period. As of June 30, 2016, the Fund did not have any investments transfer between investment levels.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a


18



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine that the value of the collateral does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest as earned. If such a decrease occurs, additional collateral will be requested and, when received, will be added to the account to maintain full collateralization. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with institutions that the Adviser has determined are creditworthy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities purchased with the proceeds from the sale of securities received by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve credit risk with the counterparty to the extent that the value of securities subject to repurchase exceed the Fund's liability under the reverse repurchase agreement. Securities subject to repurchase under reverse repurchase agreements, if any, are designated as such in the Portfolio of Investments.

  At June 30, 2016, the Fund did not have any outstanding reverse repurchase agreements.

5.  Foreign Currency Translation and Foreign Investments: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:

—  investments, other assets and liabilities at the prevailing rate of exchange on the valuation date;

—  investment transactions and investment income at the prevailing rates of exchange on the dates of such transactions.

  Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held at period end. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities sold during the period. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) on investments in securities are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions and balances. However, pursuant to U.S. Federal income tax regulations, gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions and the foreign currency portion of gains and losses realized on sales and maturities of foreign denominated debt securities are treated as ordinary income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.

  Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and


19



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency translations for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

  A significant portion of the Fund's net assets consist of securities of issuers located in emerging markets, which are denominated in foreign currencies. Such securities may be concentrated in a limited number of countries and regions and may vary throughout the year. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the value of and investment income from foreign currency denominated securities. Emerging market securities are often subject to greater price volatility, limited capitalization and liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than securities of companies based in the U.S. In addition, emerging market issuers may be subject to substantial governmental involvement in the economy and greater social, economic and political uncertainty.

6.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect

correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

  Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

  Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

  Futures: A futures contract is a standardized, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price


20



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

at a specific future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures contracts involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived futures transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. In addition to the derivatives risks discussed above, the prices of futures contracts can be highly volatile, using futures contracts can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures contracts can exceed the Fund's initial investment in such contracts. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Fund has open positions in the futures contract.

  Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also entered into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date. A foreign currency forward exchange contract ("currency contract") is a negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Currency contracts may be used to protect against uncertainty in the

level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such contracts. The use of currency contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains (losses) when the currency contract is closed equal to the difference between the value of the currency contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

  FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.


21



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

  The following tables set forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of June 30, 2016.

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts
 
  Unrealized Appreciation
on Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts
 


Currency Risk
 


$

18

 
    Liability Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts
 
  Unrealized Depreciation
on Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts
 


Currency Risk
 

$

(32

)

 
Futures Contract
 
  Variation Margin on
Futures Contract
  Interest
Rate Risk
   

(260

)(a)

 

Total

         

$

(292

)

 

  (a)This amount represents the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities only reflects the current day's net variation margin.

  The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the six months ended June 30, 2016 in accordance with ASC 815.

Realized Gain (Loss)

 
Primary Risk
Exposure
  Derivative
Type
  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

 

Foreign Currency

         

 

 

Forward Exchange Contracts

 

$

(120

)

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Futures Contracts

   

(349

)

 

Total

     

$

(469

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 
Primary Risk
Exposure
  Derivative
Type
  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

 

Foreign Currency

         

 

 

Forward Exchange Contracts

 

$

(14

)

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Futures Contracts

   

(268

)

 

Total

     

$

(282

)

 

  At June 30, 2016, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Presented in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Derivatives(b)

  Assets(c)
(000)
  Liabilities(c)
(000)
 
Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange Contracts
 

$

18

   

$

(32

)

 

  (b)Excludes exchange traded derivatives.

  (c)Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

  The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap,


22



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

  The following tables present derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of June 30, 2016.

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net
Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

Citibank NA

 

$

18

   

$

(18

)

 

$

   

$

0

   

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Counterparty

  Gross Liability
Derivatives
Presented in
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Pledged
(000)
  Net
Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

Citibank NA

 

$

32

   

$

(18

)

 

$

   

$

14

   

  For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

1,483,000

   

Futures Contracts:

Average monthly original value

 

$

12,357,000

   

7.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

  Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Risks in securities lending transactions are that a borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, and that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral plus any rebate that is required to be returned to the borrower. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.


23



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

  The following table presents financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of June 30, 2016.

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset Amounts
Presented in Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less than $0)
(000)
 
$

22,091

(d)

 

$

   

$

(22,091

)(e)(f)

 

$

0

   

  (d)Represents market value of loaned securities at period end.

  (e)The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $18,195,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $4,333,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

  (f)The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

  The Fund has adopted the disclosure provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-11 ("ASU No. 2014-11"), "Transfers & Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures". ASU No. 2014-11 is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

  The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of June 30, 2016.

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight
and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities
Lending
Transactions
 

Corporate Bonds

 

$

1,627

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

1,627

   

Sovereign

   

16,568

     

     

     

     

16,568

   

Total

 

$

18,195

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

18,195

   
Total
Borrowings
 

$

18,195

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

18,195

   
Gross amount
of recognized
liabilities for
securities
lending
transactions
                 

$

18,195

   

8.  Structured Investments: The Fund invested a portion of its assets in structured investments. A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Structured investments may come in various forms including notes (such as exchange-traded notes), warrants and options to purchase securities. The Fund will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to a market is limited or inefficient from a tax or cost standpoint. There can be no assurance that structured investments will trade at the same price or have the same value as the underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Investments in structured investments involve risks including issuer risk, counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and has no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a


24



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

9.  Indemnifications: The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

10.  Dividends and Distributions to Stockholders: Dividend income and distributions to stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

11.  Other: Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Realized gains (losses) on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost basis. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt and is recorded net of foreign withholding tax. Dividend income and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except certain dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes.

B.  Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, calculated weekly and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average weekly net assets.

C.  Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Fund and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average weekly net assets. The Adviser has agreed to limit the

administration fee through a waiver so that it will be no greater than the previous administration fee of 0.02435% of the Fund's average weekly net assets plus $24,000 per annum. This waiver may be terminated at any time. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, approximately $49,000 of administration fees were waived pursuant to this arrangement.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D.  Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") and its affiliates serve as Custodian for the Fund. The Custodian holds cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

E.  Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the six months ended June 30, 2016, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments, were approximately $69,486,000 and $69,519,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, advisory fees paid were reduced by


25



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

approximately $2,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of the Liquidity Funds during the six months ended June 30, 2016 is as follows:

Value
December 31,
2015
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
  Value
June 30,
2016
(000)
 
$

23,648

   

$

54,086

   

$

57,197

   

$

5

   

$

20,537

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley Funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

F.  Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for Federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income

and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10 "Income Taxes — Overall" sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Funds recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Funds file tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended June 30, 2016 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

2015 Distributions
Paid From:
  2014 Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital
Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital
Gain
(000)
 
$

13,106

   

$

   

$

13,030

   

$

   

The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature.


26



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

Temporary differences are attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to differing treatments of gains (losses) related to foreign currency transactions, paydown adjustments and basis adjustments for securities sold, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2015:

Accumulated
Undistributed
Net Investment
Income
(000)
  Accumulated
Net Realized
Loss
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
 
$

517

   

$

(513

)

 

$

(4

)

 

At December 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

646

   

$

   

At December 31, 2015, the Fund had available for Federal income tax purposes unused short term and long term capital losses of approximately $4,274,000 and $5,330,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the stockholders.

G.  Other: On October 8, 2007, the Fund commenced a share repurchase program for purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which the Fund's shares trade from their NAV. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Fund repurchased 169,317 of its shares at an average

discount of 14.68% from NAV. Since the inception of the program, the Fund has repurchased 3,439,282 of its shares at an average discount of 14.79% from NAV. The Directors regularly monitor the Fund's share repurchase program as part of their review and consideration of the Fund's premium/discount history. The Fund expects to continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such amounts as it believes will further the accomplishment of the foregoing objectives, subject to review by the Directors.

At June 30, 2016, the Fund did not have record owners of 10% or greater.

H.  Results of Annual Meeting of Stockholders: On June 21, 2016, an annual meeting of the Fund's stockholders was held for the purpose of voting on the following matter, the results of which were as follows:

Election of Directors by all stockholders:

 

For

 

Against

 

Frank L. Bowman

   

16,617,920

     

1,332,921

   

Jakki L. Haussler

   

16,611,229

     

1,339,612

   

James F. Higgins

   

16,611,530

     

1,339,311

   

Manuel H. Johnson

   

16,604,204

     

1,346,637

   


27



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (cont'd)

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

The Fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semi-annual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the Fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semi-annual reports and the annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the semi-annual and annual reports to Fund stockholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im. Each Morgan Stanley fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the Fund's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to stockholders, nor are the reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC toll free at 1(800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

In addition to filing a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC each fiscal quarter, the Fund makes portfolio holdings information available by providing the information on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im. The Fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on the public website on a monthly basis at least 15 calendar days after month-end and under other conditions as described in the Fund's policy on portfolio holdings disclosure. You may obtain copies of the Fund's monthly website postings, by calling toll free 1(800) 231-2608.

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

A copy of (1) the Fund's policies and procedures with respect to the voting of proxies relating to the Fund's portfolio securities; and (2) how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1(800) 231-2608 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im. This information is also available on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.


28




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited)

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser (as defined herein) under the advisory agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and equity and fixed income securities trading. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Fund's Adviser under the administration agreement, including accounting, operations, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, legal services and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities at the Adviser's expense. The Board also considered the Adviser's investment in personnel and infrastructure that benefits the Fund. (The advisory and administration agreements together are referred to as the "Management Agreement.") The Board also considered that the Adviser serves a variety of other investment advisory clients and has experience overseeing service providers. The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as reported to the Board by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. ("Broadridge").

The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers, the senior administrative managers and other key personnel of the Adviser who provide the administrative and advisory services to the Fund. The Board determined that the Adviser's portfolio managers and key personnel are well qualified by education and/or training and experience to perform the services in an efficient and professional manner. The Board concluded that the nature and extent of the advisory and administrative services provided were necessary and appropriate for the conduct of the business and investment activities of the Fund and supported its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Performance, Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The Board reviewed the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund compared to its peers, as determined by Broadridge, and to appropriate benchmarks where applicable. The Board discussed with the Adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Fund. When considering a fund's performance, the Board and the Adviser place emphasis on trends and longer-term returns (focusing on one-year, three-year and five-year performance, as of December 31, 2015, or since inception, as applicable). When a fund underperforms its benchmark and/or its peer group average, the Board and the Adviser discuss the causes of such underperformance and, where necessary, they discuss specific changes to investment strategy or investment personnel. The Board noted that the Fund's performance was better than its peer group average for the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Board discussed with the Adviser the level of the advisory and administration fees (together, the "management fee") for this Fund relative to comparable funds and/or other accounts advised by the Adviser and/or compared to its peers as determined by Broadridge. In addition to the management fee, the Board also reviewed the Fund's total expense ratio. The Board noted that the while the Fund's management fee was higher than but close to its peer group average, the total expense ratio was lower than its peer group average. After discussion, the Board concluded that the Fund's (i) performance was competitive with its peer group average; and (ii) management fee and total expense ratio were competitive with its peer group averages.


29



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited) (cont'd)

Economies of Scale

The Board considered the size and growth prospects of the Fund and how that relates to the Fund's total expense ratio and particularly the Fund's management fee rate, which does not include breakpoints. In conjunction with its review of the Adviser's profitability, the Board discussed with the Adviser how a change in assets can affect the efficiency or effectiveness of managing the Fund and whether the management fee level is appropriate relative to current and projected asset levels and/or whether the management fee structure reflects economies of scale as asset levels change. The Board considered that, with respect to closed-end funds, the assets are not likely to grow with new sales or grow significantly as a result of capital appreciation. The Board concluded that economies of scale for the Fund were not a factor that needed to be considered at the present time.

Profitability of the Adviser and Affiliates

The Board considered information concerning the costs incurred and profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates during the last year from their relationship with the Fund and during the last two years from their relationship with the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex and reviewed with the Adviser the cost allocation methodology used to determine the profitability of the Adviser and affiliates. The Board has determined that its review of the analysis of the Adviser's expenses and profitability supports its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Other Benefits of the Relationship

The Board considered other direct and indirect benefits to the Adviser and/or its affiliates derived from their relationship with the Fund and other funds advised by the Adviser. These benefits may include, among other things, fees for trading, distribution and/or shareholder servicing and for transaction processing and reporting platforms used by securities lending agents, and research received by the Adviser generated from commission dollars spent on funds' portfolio trading. The Board reviewed with the Adviser these arrangements and the reasonableness of the Adviser's costs relative to the services performed. The Board has determined that its review of the other benefits received by the Adviser or its affiliates supports its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Resources of the Adviser and Historical Relationship Between the Fund and the Adviser

The Board considered whether the Adviser is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement. The Board also reviewed and considered the historical relationship between the Fund and the Adviser, including the organizational structure of the Adviser, the policies and procedures formulated and adopted by the Adviser for managing the Fund's operations and the Board's confidence in the competence and integrity of the senior managers and key personnel of the Adviser. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement and that it is beneficial for the Fund to continue its relationship with the Adviser.

Other Factors and Current Trends

The Board considered the controls and procedures adopted and implemented by the Adviser and monitored by the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer and concluded that the conduct of business by the Adviser indicates a good faith effort on its part to adhere to high ethical standards in the conduct of the Fund's business.


30



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited) (cont'd)

General Conclusion

After considering and weighing all of the above factors, with various written materials and verbal information presented by the Adviser, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement for another year. In reaching this conclusion the Board did not give particular weight to any single piece of information or factor referenced above. The Board considered these factors and information over the course of the year and in numerous meetings, some of which were in executive session with only the independent Board members and their counsel present. It is possible that individual Board members may have weighed these factors, and the information presented, differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the Management Agreement.


31



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Portfolio Management (unaudited)

The Fund is managed by members of the Emerging Markets Debt team. The team consists of portfolio managers, analysts and traders. The members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are Eric J. Baurmeister, a Managing Director of the Adviser, Jens Nystedt, a Managing Director of the Adviser, Warren Mar, a Managing Director of the Adviser and Sahil Tandon, an Executive Director of the Adviser. Mr. Baurmeister has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1997. Mr. Baurmeister began managing the Fund in July 2002. Mr. Nystedt has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since November 2014. Prior to November 2014, Mr. Nystedt was a Senior Global Strategist at Moore Capital Management from November 2008 to November 2014. Mr. Mar has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 2012. Prior to August 2012, Mr. Mar was the global head of Emerging Markets Corporate Research & Strategy at J.P. Morgan Chase from April 2004 to August 2012. Mr. Tandon has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 2004.


32



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited)

Derivatives

The Fund may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. In addition, proposed regulatory changes by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to a mutual fund's use of derivatives could potentially limit or impact the Fund's ability to invest in derivatives and adversely affect the value or performance of the Fund or its derivative investments.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable SEC rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objective, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund may use and their associated risks:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts.  In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also may enter into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date. A foreign currency forward exchange contract ("currency contract") is a negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. The Fund may also invest in non-deliverable foreign currency forward exchange contracts ("NDFs"). NDFs are similar to other foreign currency forward exchange contracts, but do not require or permit physical delivery of currency upon settlement. Instead, settlement is made in cash based on the difference between the contracted exchange rate and the spot foreign exchange rate at settlement. Currency contracts may be used to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. In addition, the Fund may use cross currency hedging or proxy hedging with respect to currencies in which the Fund has or expects to have portfolio or currency exposure. Cross currency hedges involve the sale of one currency against the positive exposure to a different currency and may be used for hedging purposes or to establish an active exposure to the exchange rate between any two currencies. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce


33



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk that such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund's securities are not denominated. The use of currency contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract.

Futures. A futures contract is a standardized, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price at a specific future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures contracts involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived futures transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. In addition to the derivatives risks discussed above, the prices of futures contracts can be highly volatile, using futures contracts can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures contracts can exceed the Fund's initial investment in such contracts. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Fund has open positions in the futures contract.

Loan Participation Notes. The Fund may invest in loan participation notes ("LPNs"), which are interests in loans or other direct debt instruments relating to amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other borrower to another party. LPNs are notes issued through a special purpose vehicle for the purpose of funding or acquiring a loan to final obligor. LPNs are subject to the same risks as other debt obligations, which may include credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and market risk. LPNs have limited recourse to the issuer, to the extent of the amount received by the issuer from the ultimate borrower in paying the principal and interest amounts as defined under the loan agreement. The Fund may be exposed to the credit risk of both the lender and the borrower, and may not benefit from any collateral supporting the underlying loan.

Options. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed-upon price typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another person the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed-upon price typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased over-the-counter ("OTC"), the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

Structured Investments. The Fund also may invest a portion of its assets in structured investments. A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Structured


34



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

investments may come in various forms including notes (such as exchange-traded notes), warrants and options to purchase securities. The Fund will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to a market is limited or inefficient from a tax or cost standpoint. There can be no assurance that structured investments will trade at the same price or have the same value as the underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Investments in structured investments involve risks including issuer risk, counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and has no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

Swaps. The Fund may enter into OTC swap contracts or cleared swap transactions. An OTC swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indices, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Typically swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). The Fund's obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each party. Cleared swap transactions may help reduce counterparty credit risk. In a cleared swap, the Fund's ultimate counterparty is a clearinghouse rather than a swap dealer, bank or other financial institution. OTC swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and often there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non- performance by the counterparty. Both OTC and cleared swaps could result in losses if interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or other factors are not correctly anticipated by the Fund or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected. The Fund's use of swaps may include those based on the credit of an underlying security, commonly referred to as "credit default swaps." Where the Fund is the buyer of a credit default swap contract, it would typically be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty to the contract only in the event of a default or similar event of the issuer of the referenced debt obligation. If no default occurs, the Fund would have paid to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and received no benefit from the contract. When the Fund is the seller of a credit default swap contract, it typically receives the stream of payments but is obligated to pay an amount equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation upon the default or similar event of the issuer of the referenced debt obligation. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulatory developments require the clearing and exchange-trading of certain standardized swap transactions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis.

Special Risks Related to Cyber Security

The Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber security risks that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential and highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access to relevant systems; compromises to networks or devices that the Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund's operations; or operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and


35



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

its service providers. Cyber attacks against or security breakdowns of the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its stockholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses; the inability of Fund stockholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions; inability to calculate the Fund's NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or additional compliance costs. The Fund may incur additional costs for cyber security risk management and remediation purposes. In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which may cause the Fund's investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Fund or its service providers will not suffer losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches in the future.

Foreign and Emerging Market Securities

Investing in the securities of foreign issuers, particularly those located in emerging market or developing countries, entails the risk that news and events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. The value of the Fund's shares may vary widely in response to political and economic factors affecting companies in foreign countries. These same events will not necessarily have an effect on the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets, which have historically been considered stable, may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions.

Investments in foreign markets entail special risks such as currency, political, economic and market risks. There also may be greater market volatility, less reliable financial information, higher transaction and custody costs, decreased market liquidity and less government and exchange regulation associated with investments in foreign markets. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets, which have historically been considered stable, may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund's ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make the Fund's investments in such securities harder to value. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value. The


36



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than risks associated with investments in foreign developed countries. In addition, the Fund's investments in foreign issuers may be denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, to the extent unhedged, the value of the investment will fluctuate with the U.S. dollar exchange rates.

Determination of NAV

The Fund determines the NAV per share as of the close of the NYSE (normally 4:00p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business. Shares generally will not be priced on days that the NYSE is closed, although shares may be priced on such days if the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA") recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day. On any business day when SIFMA recommends that the bond markets close early, the Fund reserves the right to price its shares at or prior to the SIFMA recommended closing time. If the NYSE is closed due to inclement weather, technology problems or any other reason on a day it would normally be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and calculate its NAV as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day, so long as the Adviser believes there generally remains an adequate market to obtain reliable and accurate market quotations. The Fund may elect to price its shares on days when the NYSE is closed but the primary securities markets on which the Fund's securities trade remain open.


37



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited)

Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), each stockholder will be deemed to have elected, unless Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Plan Agent) is otherwise instructed by the stockholder in writing, to have all distributions automatically reinvested in Fund shares. Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional voluntary cash payments to the Plan Agent, quarterly, in any amount from $100 to $3000, for investment in Fund shares.

Dividend and capital gain distributions (Distribution) will be reinvested on the reinvestment date in full and fractional shares. If the market price per share equals or exceeds net asset value per share on the reinvestment date, the Fund will issue shares to participants at net asset value or, if net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the reinvestment date, shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. If net asset value exceeds the market price on the reinvestment date, participants will receive shares valued at market price. The Fund may purchase shares of its Common Stock in the open market in connection with dividend reinvestment requirements at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Should the Fund declare a Distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will purchase Fund shares for participants in the open market as agent for the participants.

The Plan Agent's fees for the reinvestment of a Distribution will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant's account will be charged a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred on any open market purchases effected on such participant's behalf. Although stockholders in the Plan may receive no cash distributions, participation in the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

In the case of stockholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the stockholder as representing the total amount registered in the stockholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are participating in the Plan.

Stockholders who do not wish to have Distributions automatically reinvested should notify the Plan Agent in writing. There is no penalty for non-participation or withdrawal from the Plan, and stockholders who have previously withdrawn from the Plan may rejoin at any time. Requests for additional information or any correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at:

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, Texas 77842
1(800) 231-2608
Monday–Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (EDT)


38



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy

We are required by federal law to provide you with a copy of our privacy policy annually. This policy applies to current and former individual investors in funds managed or sponsored by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. ("MSIM") as well as current and former individual clients of MSIM. This policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or investors. Please note that we may amend this policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes as required by law.

We Respect Your Privacy

We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we help you achieve your financial objectives. This Notice describes what non-public personal information we collect about you, why we collect it, when we may share it with others and how certain others may use it. It discusses the steps you may take to limit our sharing of certain information about you to affiliated companies in the Morgan Stanley family of companies ("other Morgan Stanley companies"). It also discloses how you may limit use of certain shared information for marketing purposes by other Morgan Stanley branded companies. Throughout this policy, we refer to the non-public information that personally identifies you or your accounts as "personal information."

1. What Personal Information Do We Collect About You?

We obtain personal information from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our Web sites and from third parties and other sources.

For example:

•  We may collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through subscription documents, applications and other forms you submit to us.

•  We may obtain information about account balances, your use of account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other sources.

•  We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit history from consumer reporting agencies.

•  We may collect background information from and through third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with various regulatory requirements.

•  If you interact with us through our public and private Web sites, we may collect information that you provide directly through online communications (such as an e-mail address). We may also collect information about your Internet service provider, your domain name, your computer's operating system and Web browser, your use of our Web sites and your product and service preferences, through the use of "cookies." Please consult the Terms of Use of these sites for more details.


39



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)

2. When Do We Disclose Personal Information We Collect About You?

We may disclose personal information we collect about you to other Morgan Stanley companies and to non-affiliated third parties.

a. Information We Disclose to Other Morgan Stanley Companies. We may disclose personal information to other Morgan Stanley companies for a variety of reasons, including to manage your account(s) effectively, to service and process your transactions, to let you know about products and services offered by us and other Morgan Stanley companies, to manage our business, and as otherwise required or permitted by law. Offers for products and services from other Morgan Stanley companies are developed under conditions designed to safeguard your personal information.

b. Information We Disclose to Non-affiliated Third Parties. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated third parties except to those who provide marketing services on our behalf, to financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements, and as otherwise required or permitted by law. For example, we may disclose personal information to nonaffiliated third parties for servicing and processing transactions, to offer our own products and services, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information with a non-affiliated third party, they are required to limit their use of personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose or as may be permitted or required by law.

3. How Do We Protect the Security and Confidentiality of Personal Information We Collect About You?

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality standards with respect to such information.

4. How Can You Limit the Sharing of Certain Types of Personal Information With Other Morgan Stanley Companies?

We offer you choices as to whether we share with other Morgan Stanley companies the personal information that was collected to determine your eligibility for products and services you request ("eligibility information"). Eligibility information does not include your identification information or personal information pertaining to our transactions or experiences with you. Please note that, even if you direct us not to share eligibility information with other Morgan Stanley companies ("opt-out"), we may still share personal information, including eligibility information, with those companies in circumstances excluded from the opt-out under applicable law, such as to process transactions or to service your account.

5. How Can You Limit the Use of Certain Types of Personal Information by Other Morgan Stanley Companies for Marketing?

By following the opt-out instructions in Section 6 below, you may limit other Morgan Stanley branded companies from marketing their products or services to you based on personal information we disclose to them. This information may include, for example, your


40



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)

income and account history with us. Please note that, even if you choose to limit Other Morgan Stanley Companies from using personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products and services to you, Other Morgan Stanley Companies may use your personal information that they obtain from us to market to you in circumstances permitted by law, such as if the Other Morgan Stanley Company has its own relationship with you.

6. How Can You Send Us an Opt-Out Instruction?

If you wish to limit our sharing of eligibility information about you with other Morgan Stanley companies or other Morgan Stanley companies' use of personal information for marketing purposes, as described in this notice, you may do so by:

•  Calling us at (800) 231-2608
Monday–Friday between 8a.m. and 6p.m.(EST)

•  Writing to us at the following address:

  Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Privacy Coordinator
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, Texas 77842

Your written request should include your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-out applies and whether you are opting out with respect to sharing of eligibility information (Section 4 above), or if information used for Marketing (Section 5 above) or both. Written opt-out requests should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your request, we require that the request be provided by you directly and not through a third party.

Your opt-out preference will remain in effect with respect to this policy (as it may be amended) until you notify us otherwise. If you have a joint account, your direction for us not to share this information with other Morgan Stanley companies and for those other Morgan Stanley companies not to use your personal information for marketing will be applied to all account holders on that account. Please understand that if you limit our sharing or our affiliated companies' use of personal information, you and any joint account holder(s) may not receive information about Morgan Stanley products and services, including products or services that could help you manage your financial resources and achieve your investment objectives.

7. What if an Affiliated Company Becomes a Non-affiliated Third Party?

If, at any time in the future, an affiliated company becomes a non-affiliated third party, further disclosures of personal information made to the former affiliated company will be limited to those described in Section 2(b) above relating to non-affiliated third parties. If you elected under Section 6 to limit disclosures we make to affiliated companies, or use of personal information by affiliated companies, your election will not apply to use by any former affiliated company of your personal information in their possession once it becomes a non-affiliated third party.


41



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

June 30, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF VERMONT

The following section supplements our policy with respect to our individual clients who have a Vermont address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above policy with respect to those clients only.

The state of Vermont requires financial institutions to obtain your consent prior to sharing personal information that they collect about you with affiliated companies and non-affiliated third parties other than in certain limited circumstances. Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about you with non-affiliated third parties or other Morgan Stanley companies unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information ("opt-in").

If you wish to receive offers for investment products and services offered by or through other Morgan Stanley companies, please notify us in writing at the following address:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Privacy Coordinator
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, Texas 77842

Your authorization should include your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-in applies and should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your authorization, we require that the authorization be provided by you directly and not through a third party.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA

The following section supplements our policy with respect to our individual clients who have a California address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above policy with respect to those clients only.

In response to a California law, if your account has a California home address, your personal information will not be disclosed to nonaffiliated third parties except as permitted by applicable California law, and we will limit sharing such information with our affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


42



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Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 6.

 

(a) Refer to Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Applicable only to annual reports filed by closed-end funds.

 



 

Item 9.  Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

REGISTRANT PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

(a) Total
Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased

 

(b) Average
Price Paid per
Share (or Unit)

 

(c) Total
Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs

 

(d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares (or
Units) that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

 

January 2016

 

11,836

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

February 2016

 

18,132

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

March 2016

 

25,911

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

April 2016

 

12,560

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

May 2016

 

62,291

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

June 2016

 

38,587

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Total

 

169,317

 

$

8.93

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)  The Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.

 



 

(b)  There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits

 

(a) Code of Ethics — Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

John H. Gernon

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

August 17, 2016

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

John H. Gernon

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

August 17, 2016

 

 

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

August 17, 2016