UPDATE 1 — Bespoke private placements will be in scope for JPMorgan EM index inclusion, bank says

(adds more details) LONDON, Oct 15 (Reuters) — Bespoke private placements will be in scope for inclusion in JPMorgan's emerging market debt indexes from the end of October, the bank said on Thursday. JPMorgan's fixed income indexes are a key benchmarks for trading emerging market debt and inclusion in them can significantly boost liquidity. Private placement debt is sold directly to a specific group of investors, rather than through broad public bond offering, but after issuance it can be traded more widely Gulf sovereigns and some African nations have issued bonds via private placement this year due to the unusual market uncertainty caused by the Iran war and other geopolitical turmoil JPMorgan said private placements will be "subject to enhanced screening" typically lasting two months Factors assessed in the screening include liquidity and tradeability based on the size of the bond, the number of dealer banks and bid-offer spreads, among other factors Taps of existing bonds conducted via private placements will typically be evaluated without the enhanced two-month liquidity review, the bank said Several private placement debt instruments issued this year are likely to be added to