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)

 

Sara Furber
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

212-296-6990

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31, 2010

 

 

Date of reporting period:

December 31, 2010

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Directors

Michael E. Nugent

Frank L. Bowman

Michael Bozic

Kathleen A. Dennis

James F. Higgins

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

Joseph J. Kearns

Michael F. Klein

W. Allen Reed

Fergus Reid

Officers

Michael E. Nugent

Chairman of the Board and Director

Sara Furber

President and Principal
Executive Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu

Vice President

Francis J. Smith

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Mary Ann Picciotto

Chief Compliance Officer

Mary E. Mullin

Secretary

Investment Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Stockholder Servicing Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

250 Royall Street

Canton, Massachusetts 02021

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

1095 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.

© 2011 Morgan Stanley

CEMSDANN
IU11-00345P-Y12/10

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley

Emerging Markets Debt

Fund, Inc. (MSD)

Morgan Stanley

Investment Management Inc.

Investment Adviser

Annual
Report

December 31, 2010



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Overview (unaudited)

Letter to Stockholders

Performance

For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") had total returns of 11.00%, based on net asset value, and 13.58% 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 12.04%. On December 31, 2010, the closing price of the Fund's shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $10.48, representing a 7.9% discount to the Fund's net asset value per share. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The first quarter of 2010 was overall a good period for fixed income assets, which were supported by a positive macro backdrop of benign economic data and unchanged monetary policy in the G-3. In addition, important policy decisions influenced global markets including the passage of U.S. health care reform, and sovereign risk related issues especially around Greece and peripheral Europe. Against this backdrop, emerging markets (EM) debt strongly outperformed developed markets debt in the first quarter.

•  Financial markets remained choppy throughout the second quarter of 2010 as investors focused on the unfolding crisis in peripheral Europe. Worries over a potential "double dip" recession and banking sector struggles in the developed world, and tighter monetary policies in certain EM countries overshadowed the generally strong fundamentals in the U.S. and most of the EM world. During the quarter, EM central banks stepped up the movement toward the normalization of monetary policy. Such actions highlighted the inner strength of most emerging countries.

•  During the third quarter, EM debt markets continued to be driven primarily by economic and policy developments in the developed world, rather than by EM-centered events. EM central banks slowed the pace of rate hikes as growth softened from very robust levels and inflation remained stable. EM debt continued to benefit from strong portfolio inflows.

•  Performance of risky assets through the fourth quarter of 2010 as a whole was driven by two opposing factors. The first, which was consistent with greater appetite for risk, involved moves by policy makers in the U.S. that aimed to boost economic growth in 2011. The most obvious initiatives were the second round of quantitative easing (QE2) and the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts. However, sentiment soured — and appetite for risk fell — in November as a result of the fiscal crisis in Ireland. Emerging markets debt, like most risky assets, generally underperformed during the last three months of the year. Nevertheless, in relation to other episodes in which global investors have become risk averse, the negative returns were modest, coinciding with EM data flow confirming that fundamentals remain intact and favorable.

•  EM hard currency debt, as measured by the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index, returned 12.04% for 2010. As of December 31, 2010, external debt yields stood at 6.13%, with a spread of 289 basis points above U.S. Treasuries.

•  For the year, our strategy benefited from yield curve positioning in Colombia, Peru, Kazakhstan and Indonesia as well as to local rates to South Africa, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico. An overweight exposure to Argentina and Ukraine also aided returns.


2



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Overview (unaudited)

Letter to Stockholders (cont'd)

Conversely, yield curve positioning in external debt in Lebanon, Malaysia, Poland, South Africa, Turkey and Uruguay hurt returns. A slight underweight in Brazil and foreign exchange exposure to Hungary also detracted from relative returns.

Management Strategies

•  We expect growth in the developed world to recover somewhat in 2011, reflecting a new wave of expansionary fiscal and monetary policies — particularly in the U.S. However, the unresolved fiscal sustainability issues in the periphery of Europe and individual states in the U.S. are likely to generate periodic bouts of risk aversion into 2011. Such expansionary policies in the developed world are likely to provide further support to commodity prices and capital inflows to EM countries, but will also exacerbate inflationary and currency appreciation pressures.

•  Our constructive view on EM assets in 2011 reflects expectations for strong domestic demand-driven growth, supportive terms of trade and large capital inflows. EM countries are likely to respond to expansionary polices in the developed world by hardening capital controls to avoid a further appreciation of their currencies, while hiking rates at a pace adequate to contain inflationary pressures in their economies. Overall, we believe that EM central banks will be able to slow but not to reverse the appreciation trend in their currencies.

•  The impact of the strong macroeconomic fundamentals in the emerging markets on sovereign risk premium appears to be fully priced in most countries, with pockets of undervaluation on which we will focus. In contrast, we believe that higher carry and continued portfolio flows will continue to support EM currencies. Several currencies in Asia and certain commodity currencies remain undervalued and could benefit further from a benign external environment and easy monetary policy in the developed world.

Sincerely,

Sara Furber
President and Principal Executive Officer  January 2011


3




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Portfolio of Investments

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES (86.8%)  
Argentina (4.7%)  
Sovereign (4.7%)  
Argentina Bonos,
7.00%, 10/3/15
  $ 13,689     $ 12,978    
Republic of Argentina,
2.50%, 12/31/38 (a)
    2,188       990    
8.28%, 12/31/33 (b)     346       323    
          14,291    
Belarus (0.2%)  
Sovereign (0.2%)  
Republic of Belarus,
8.75%, 8/3/15
    710       729    
Brazil (8.8%)  
Corporate Bond (0.6%)  
Gerdau Trade, Inc.,
5.75%, 1/30/21 (b)(c)
    1,700       1,713    
Sovereign (8.2%)  
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento,
Economico e Social,
5.50%, 7/12/20 (c)
    1,960       2,024    
6.37%, 6/16/18 (c)     1,380       1,509    
Federative Republic of Brazil,
5.88%, 1/15/19
    9,125       10,174    
7.13%, 1/20/37 (b)     590       707    
8.00%, 1/15/18     1,527       1,795    
8.88%, 10/14/19 - 4/15/24     6,564       8,750    
          24,959    
          26,672    
Colombia (3.1%)  
Sovereign (3.1%)  
Republic of Colombia,
7.38%, 3/18/19 (b)
    3,900       4,700    
11.75%, 2/25/20     3,015       4,560    
          9,260    
Croatia (0.5%)  
Sovereign (0.5%)  
Republic of Croatia,
6.63%, 7/14/20 (c)
    1,340       1,386    

 

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 
Dominican Republic (0.4%)  
Sovereign (0.4%)  
Dominican Republic,
7.50%, 5/6/21 (c)
  $ 590     $ 638    
9.04%, 1/23/18     470       536    
          1,174    
Ecuador (0.7%)  
Sovereign (0.7%)  
Republic of Ecuador,
9.38%, 12/15/15
    2,235       2,090    
Georgia (0.3%)  
Sovereign (0.3%)  
Republic of Georgia,
7.50%, 4/15/13
    940       970    
Ghana (1.1%)  
Sovereign (1.1%)  
Republic of Ghana,
8.50%, 10/4/17 (b)(c)
    2,016       2,273    
8.50%, 10/4/17     800       908    
          3,181    
Hungary (0.8%)  
Sovereign (0.8%)  
Hungary Government Bond,
7.50%, 11/12/20
  HUF 507,590       2,369    
India (0.3%)  
Corporate Bond (0.3%)  
Reliance Holdings USA, Inc.,
6.25%, 10/19/40 (c)
  $ 810       813    
Indonesia (4.8%)  
Corporate Bonds (0.4%)  
Pindo Deli Finance
Mauritius Ltd.,
Tranche A, 3.29%,
4/28/15 (c)(d)(e)
    421       103    
Tranche B, 3.29%,
4/28/18 (c)(d)(e)
    1,852       204    
Tranche C, Zero Coupon,
4/28/27 (c)(d)(e)
    7,471       168    

 

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


4



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 
Indonesia (cont'd)  
Corporate Bonds (cont'd)  
Tjiwi Kimia Finance
Mauritius Ltd.,
Tranche A, 3.29%,
4/28/15 (d)(e)
  $ 1,404     $ 351    
Tranche B, 3.29%,
4/28/18 (c)(d)(e)
    1,621       316    
Tranche C, Zero Coupon,
4/28/27 (c)(d)(e)
    3,620       127    
          1,269    
Sovereign (4.4%)  
Majapahit Holding BV,
7.75%, 1/20/20
    2,500       2,894    
Republic of Indonesia,
6.88%, 1/17/18
    1,000       1,165    
7.75%, 1/17/38 (c)     1,353       1,658    
11.63%, 3/4/19 (c)     2,169       3,226    
11.63%, 3/4/19     2,850       4,239    
          13,182    
          14,451    
Ivory Coast (0.4%)  
Sovereign (0.4%)  
Ivory Coast,
2.50%, 12/31/32 (a)
    2,713       1,221    
Kazakhstan (3.2%)  
Sovereign (3.2%)  
Development Bank of
Kazakhstan JSC,
5.50%, 12/20/15 (b)(c)
    1,250       1,266    
Intergas Finance BV,
6.38%, 5/14/17
    700       738    
KazMunayGas National Co.,
6.38%, 4/9/21 (b)(c)
    2,430       2,421    
9.13%, 7/2/18 (c)     3,080       3,619    
9.13%, 7/2/18     1,400       1,645    
          9,689    
Lithuania (1.1%)  
Sovereign (1.1%)  
Republic of Lithuania,
6.75%, 1/15/15 (c)
    1,200       1,302    
7.38%, 2/11/20     1,790       1,989    
          3,291    

 

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 
Malaysia (1.0%)  
Sovereign (1.0%)  
Malaysia Government Bond,
3.21%, 5/31/13
  MYR 8,960     $ 2,913    
Mexico (10.5%)  
Sovereign (10.5%)  
Mexican Bonos,
8.00%, 6/11/20
  MXN 61,932       5,396    
Pemex Project Funding
Master Trust,
6.63%, 6/15/35
  $ 2,566       2,624    
6.63%, 6/15/38 (b)     1,750       1,786    
8.63%, 12/1/23     1,990       2,438    
Petroleos Mexicanos,
5.50%, 1/21/21 (b)
    5,430       5,525    
8.00%, 5/3/19 (b)     1,750       2,117    
United Mexican States,
5.63%, 1/15/17 (b)
    419       466    
5.95%, 3/19/19     3,782       4,236    
6.05%, 1/11/40 (b)     1,760       1,808    
6.75%, 9/27/34     4,674       5,282    
          31,678    
Pakistan (0.4%)  
Sovereign (0.4%)  
Republic of Pakistan,
6.88%, 6/1/17
    1,550       1,356    
Panama (2.0%)  
Sovereign (2.0%)  
Republic of Panama,
5.20%, 1/30/20
    1,810       1,928    
7.13%, 1/29/26 (b)     1,140       1,377    
8.88%, 9/30/27     483       664    
9.38%, 4/1/29 (b)     1,569       2,208    
          6,177    
Peru (5.1%)  
Sovereign (5.1%)  
Republic of Peru,
7.13%, 3/30/19 (b)
    1,890       2,268    
7.35%, 7/21/25 (b)     2,410       2,944    
8.20%, 8/12/26   PEN 13,260       5,607    
8.75%, 11/21/33   $ 3,340       4,601    
          15,420    

 

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


5



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 
Philippines (4.1%)  
Sovereign (4.1%)  
Republic of Philippines,
4.00%, 1/15/21 (b)
  $ 5,506     $ 5,345    
8.38%, 6/17/19     1,491       1,935    
8.88%, 3/17/15     669       828    
9.50%, 2/2/30     3,072       4,439    
          12,547    
Poland (0.9%)  
Sovereign (0.9%)  
Republic of Poland,
5.50%, 10/25/19
  PLN 8,350       2,745    
Russia (11.2%)  
Sovereign (11.2%)  
RSHB Capital SA for OJSC
Russian Agricultural Bank,
6.30%, 5/15/17 (c)
  $ 2,104       2,125    
7.18%, 5/16/13 (c)     2,030       2,172    
Russian Federation,
5.00%, 4/29/20
    8,500       8,542    
7.50%, 3/31/30     10,786       12,511    
7.50%, 3/31/30 (c)     1,061       1,231    
Russian Federation
(Registered),
12.75%, 6/24/28
    4,225       7,373    
          33,954    
Senegal (0.2%)  
Sovereign (0.2%)  
Republic of Senegal,
8.75%, 12/22/14
    540       551    
South Africa (1.2%)  
Sovereign (1.2%)  
Republic of South Africa,
5.50%, 3/9/20
    540       577    
6.75%, 3/31/21   ZAR 22,230       3,056    
          3,633    
Sri Lanka (0.2%)  
Sovereign (0.2%)  
Sri Lanka Government
International Bond,
6.25%, 10/4/20 (c)
  $ 650       662    

 

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 
Turkey (9.8%)  
Sovereign (9.8%)  
Republic of Turkey,
5.63%, 3/30/21
  $ 2,150     $ 2,247    
6.75%, 5/30/40     2,000       2,190    
6.88%, 3/17/36     2,904       3,252    
7.00%, 3/11/19     3,490       4,048    
7.50%, 7/14/17 - 11/7/19     4,226       5,039    
8.00%, 2/14/34     1,360       1,710    
10.50%, 1/15/20   TRY 7,080       5,133    
11.50%, 1/23/12   $ 340       378    
11.88%, 1/15/30 (b)     3,371       5,807    
          29,804    
Ukraine (3.9%)  
Sovereign (3.9%)  
Ukraine Government,
6.58%, 11/21/16
    4,349       4,372    
6.75%, 11/14/17     4,580       4,589    
7.65%, 6/11/13     1,196       1,263    
7.75%, 9/23/20 (c)     1,700       1,738    
          11,962    
Uruguay (0.2%)  
Sovereign (0.2%)  
Republic of Uruguay,
8.00%, 11/18/22 (b)
    589       732    
Venezuela (5.7%)  
Sovereign (5.7%)  
Republic of Venezuela,
5.75%, 2/26/16
    1,066       757    
6.00%, 12/9/20     1,340       777    
7.00%, 3/31/38     1,761       1,017    
7.65%, 4/21/25     2,850       1,803    
9.00%, 5/7/23     600       419    
9.25%, 9/15/27 (b)     5,975       4,481    
9.25%, 5/7/28     53       36    
10.75%, 9/19/13     8,330       8,059    
          17,349    
TOTAL FIXED INCOME SECURITIES (Cost $255,043)         263,070    

 

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


6



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

    No. of
Warrants
  Value
(000)
 
WARRANTS (0.2%)  
Nigeria (0.1%)  
Central Bank of Nigeria,
expires 11/15/20 (d)(e)
  $ 2,250     $ 405    
Venezuela (0.1%)  
Republic of Venezuela,
Oil-Linked Payment
Obligation,
expires 4/15/20 (d)(e)
    5,450       144    
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $—)         549    
    Shares      
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (13.0%)  
Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (9.1%)  
Investment Company (7.0%)  
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds — Money Market
Portfolio — Institutional Class
(See Note F)
    21,262,459       21,262    
    Face
Amount
(000)
     
Repurchase Agreements (2.1%)  
Barclays Capital, Inc.,
(0.20%, dated 12/31/10,
due 1/3/11; proceeds $4,077;
fully collateralized by a U.S.
Government Obligation; U.S.
Treasury Note 0.00%
due 11/15/20;
valued at $4,158)
  $ 4,077       4,077    
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.,
(0.28%, dated 12/31/10,
due 1/3/11; proceeds $2,235;
fully collateralized by a U.S.
Government Agency;
Government National Mortgage
Association 5.00%
due 10/15/39;
valued at $2,279)
    2,235       2,235    
          6,312    
TOTAL SECURITIES HELD AS COLLATERAL
ON LOANED SECURITIES (Cost $27,574)
        27,574    

 

    Shares   Value
(000)
 
Investment Company (3.9%)  
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds — Money Market
Portfolio — Institutional Class
(See Note F) (Cost $11,775)
    11,775,241     $ 11,775    
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $39,349)         39,349    
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.0%) (Cost $294,392)
Including $26,999 of Securities Loaned
        302,968    
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS         (33,571 )  
NET ASSETS       $ 269,397    

 

(a)  Step Bond — Coupon rate increases in increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2010. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2010.

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

(d)  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 December 31, 2010.

(e)  Security has been deemed illiquid at December 31, 2010.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Information:

The Fund had the following foreign currency exchange contract(s) open at period end:

Counterparty   Currency
to
Deliver
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Settlement
Date
  In
Exchange
For
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  CLP 1,438,045     $ 3,072     1/3/11   USD 3,062     $ 3,062     $ (10 )  
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  COP 5,423,585       2,825     1/3/11   USD 2,726       2,726       (99 )  
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 2,825       2,825     1/3/11   COP 5,423,585       2,825          
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 2,957       2,957     1/3/11   CLP 1,438,045       3,072       115    
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  BRL 5,014       3,021     1/4/11   USD 2,974       2,974       (47 )  

 

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


7



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts Information: (cont'd)

Counterparty   Currency
to
Deliver
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Settlement
Date
  In
Exchange
For
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 2,888     $ 2,888     1/4/11   BRL 5,014     $ 3,020     $ 132    
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 5,696       5,696     1/6/11   KRW 6,527,133       5,751       55    
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 2,923       2,923     1/7/11   THB 87,743       2,911       (12 )  
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 5,799       5,799     1/10/11   INR 262,011       5,853       54    
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 3,057       3,057     1/31/11   CLP 1,438,045       3,066       9    
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 2,955       2,955     2/2/11   BRL 5,014       3,001       46    
JPMorgan
Chase
Bank
  USD 3,024       3,024     5/16/11   CNY 19,800       3,006       (18 )  
        $ 41,042             $ 41,267     $ 225    

 

BRL —  Brazilian Real

CLP —  Chilean Peso

CNY —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi

COP —  Colombian Peso

HUF —  Hungarian Forint

INR —  Indian Rupee

KRW —  South Korean Won

MXN —  Mexican New Peso

MYR —  Malaysian Ringgit

PEN —  Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PLN —  Polish Zloty

THB —  Thai Baht

TRY —  Turkish Lira

USD —  United States Dollar

ZAR —  South African Rand

Futures Contracts:

The Fund had the following futures contract(s) open at period end:

    Number
of
Contracts
  Value
(000)
  Expiration
Date
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 
Long:  
U.S. Treasury
10 yr. Note
    140     $ 16,861     Mar-11   $ (449 )  

 

Fair Value Measurement Information:

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's net assets as of December 31, 2010. (See Note A-6 to the financial statements for further information regarding fair value measurement.)

Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Assets:  
Fixed Income
Securities
 
Corporate
Bonds
  $     $ 3,795     $     $ 3,795    
Sovereign           259,275             259,275    
Total Fixed
Income
Securities
          263,070             263,070    
Warrants           549             549    
Short-Term
Investments
Investment
Company
    33,037                   33,037    
Repurchase
Agreements
          6,312             6,312    
Total Short-Term
Investments
    33,037       6,312             39,349    
Foreign Currency
Exchange
Contracts
          411             411    
Total Assets     33,037       270,342             303,379    

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


8



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Fair Value Measurement Information: (cont'd)

Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Liabilities:  
Foreign Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  $     $ (186 )   $     $ (186 )  
Futures Contracts     (449 )                 (449 )  
Total Liabilities     (449 )     (186 )           (635 )  
Total   $ 32,588     $ 270,156     $     $ 302,744    

 

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 December 31, 2010, the Fund did not have any significant investments transfer between valuation levels.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification   Percentage of
Total Investments
 
Sovereign     94.2 %  
Short-Term Investments     4.3    
Other**     1.5    
Total Investments     100.0 %  

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2010.

**  Industries representing less than 5% of total investments.

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


9




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities   December 31,
2010
(000)
 
Assets:  
Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $261,355)   $ 269,931    
Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $33,037)     33,037    
Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $294,392)     302,968    
Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $437)     432    
Interest Receivable     4,711    
Unrealized Appreciation on Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts     411    
Due from Broker     315    
Receivable for Lehman Brothers Closed Reverse Repurchase Transactions     242    
Receivable from Affiliate     1    
Other Assets     3    
Total Assets     309,083    
Liabilities:  
Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value     27,574    
Dividends Declared     11,544    
Payable for Investment Advisory Fees     229    
Unrealized Depreciation on Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts     186    
Bank Overdraft     65    
Payable for Professional Fees     49    
Payable for Administration Fees     8    
Payable for Custodian Fees     7    
Payable for Directors' Fees and Expenses     3    
Payable for Stockholder Servicing Agent Fees     2    
Other Liabilities     19    
Total Liabilities     39,686    
Net Assets  
Applicable to 23,669,536 Issued and Outstanding $0.01 Par Value Shares (100,000,000 Shares Authorized)   $ 269,397    
Net Asset Value Per Share   $ 11.38    
Net Assets Consist of:  
Common Stock   $ 237    
Paid-in-Capital     265,049    
Undistributed Net Investment Income     103    
Accumulated Net Realized Loss     (4,348 )  
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:  
Investments     8,576    
Futures Contracts     (449 )  
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts     226    
Foreign Currency Translations     3    
Net Assets   $ 269,397    
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
  $ 26,999    

 

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


10



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statement of Operations   Year Ended
December 31,
2010
(000)
 
Investment Income:  
Interest from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $12 Foreign Taxes Withheld)   $ 20,665    
Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer     34    
Total Investment Income     20,699    
Expenses:  
Investment Advisory Fees (Note B)     2,745    
Administration Fees (Note C)     191    
Professional Fees     123    
Stockholder Reporting Expenses     53    
Custodian Fees (Note D)     50    
Stockholder Servicing Agent Fees     9    
Directors' Fees and Expenses     8    
Other Expenses     21    
Expenses Before Non Operating Expenses     3,200    
Interest Expense on Reverse Repurchase Agreements     156    
Total Expenses     3,356    
Waiver of Administration Fees (Note C)     (100 )  
Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note F)     (10 )  
Net Expenses     3,246    
Net Investment Income     17,453    
Realized Gain (Loss):  
Investments Sold     21,944    
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts     (1,798 )  
Foreign Currency Transactions     389    
Futures Contracts     (4,445 )  
Net Realized Gain     16,090    
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):  
Investments     (5,116 )  
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts     166    
Foreign Currency Translations     (10 )  
Futures Contracts     (1,158 )  
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)     (6,118 )  
Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)     9,972    
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   $ 27,425    

 

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


11



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statements of Changes in Net Assets   Year Ended
December 31,
2010
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31,
2009
(000)
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:  
Operations:  
Net Investment Income   $ 17,453     $ 16,028    
Net Realized Gain (Loss)     16,090       (2,432 )  
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)     (6,118 )     49,809    
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations     27,425       63,405    
Distributions from and/or in Excess of:  
Net Investment Income     (15,611 )     (13,364 )  
Net Realized Gain     (7,294 )        
Total Distributions     (22,905 )     (13,364 )  
Capital Share Transactions:  
Repurchase of Shares (0 and 173,000 shares)           (1,298 )  
Issued due to Tax-Free Reorganization (2,726,221 and 0 shares)     30,428          
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions     30,428       (1,298 )  
Total Increase     34,948       48,743    
Net Assets:  
Beginning of Period     234,449       185,706    
End of Period (Including Undistributed (Distributions in Excess of) Net Investment
Income of $103 and $(1,811))
  $ 269,397     $ 234,449    

 

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


12



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Financial Highlights

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period   $ 11.19     $ 8.79     $ 11.27     $ 11.19     $ 10.80    
Net Investment Income†     0.74       0.76       0.65       0.69       0.67    
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     0.42       2.27       (2.32 )     0.03       0.49    
Total from Investment Operations     1.16       3.03       (1.67 )     0.72       1.16    
Distributions from and/or in excess of:  
Net Investment Income     (0.66 )     (0.64 )     (0.86 )     (0.66 )     (0.77 )  
Net Realized Gain     (0.31 )                          
Total Distributions     (0.97 )                          
Anti-Dilutive Effect of Share Repurchase Program           0.01       0.05       0.02          
Net Asset Value, End of Period   $ 11.38     $ 11.19     $ 8.79     $ 11.27     $ 11.19    
Per Share Market Value, End of Period   $ 10.48     $ 10.08     $ 7.07     $ 9.70     $ 10.84    
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:  
Market Value     13.58 %     52.55 %     (18.74 )%     (4.52 )%     7.38 %  
Net Asset Value(1)     11.00 %     36.18 %     (12.95 )%     7.46 %     11.66 %  
RATIOS, SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:  
Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)   $ 269,397     $ 234,449     $ 185,706     $ 245,831     $ 246,684    
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(2)     1.19 %+     1.21 %+     1.23 %+     1.29 %+     1.34 %  
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Excluding Non
Operating Expenses
    1.13 %+     1.13 %+     1.15 %+     1.10 %+     1.16 %  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(2)     6.35 %+     7.54 %+     6.19 %+     6.11 %+     6.12 %  
Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates to Average Net Assets     0.00     0.00     0.00     0.00     N/A    
Portfolio Turnover Rate     105 %     83 %     64 %     56 %     44 %  
(2) Supplemental Information on the Ratios to Average Net Assets:  
Ratios Before Expenses Waived by Administrator:  
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets     1.23 %+     1.26 %+     1.28 %+     1.34 %+     1.38 %  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets     6.31 %+     7.49 %+     6.14 %+     6.06 %+     6.08 %  

 

(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%.

 

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


13




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements

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 "1940 Act"). 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 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 the Fund's policy in the previous sentence. To the extent the Fund makes such investments, the Fund will be subject to the risks of such derivative instruments as described herein.

On February 1, 2010, the Emerging Markets Debt Fund acquired the net assets of Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. ("MGB"), a closed-end investment company, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Global Opportuntity Bond Fund, Inc. shareholders on November 18, 2009. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two funds managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. with comparable investment ojectives and strategies. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 2,726,221 shares of the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. shares, valued at approximately $30,428,000 including $554,000 in unrealized appreciation, for 4,085,596 shares of the Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. at February 1, 2010. The investment portfolio of Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc., with a fair value of approximately $26,196,000 and identified cost of approximately $25,642,000 on February 1, 2010, was the principal asset acquired by the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes. Immediately prior to the reorganization, the net assets of the Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc. were approximately $233,825,000. Immediately after the merger, the net assets of the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. were approximately $264,250,000. Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. that have been included in Emerging Market Debt Fund, Inc. Statement of Operations.

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2010, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010, are as follows:

Net Investment Income(1)   $ 17,608,000    
Net gain (loss) on investments(2)   $ 16,714,000    
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations
  $ 34,322,000    

 

(1) $17,453,000 as reported, plus $186,000 Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. premerger, plus $31,000 of estimated pro-forma eliminated expenses.

(2) $16,090,000 as reported, plus $624,000 Stanley Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. premerger.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Such policies are consistently


14



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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: 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. Securities listed on a foreign exchange are valued at their closing price. Unlisted securities and listed securities not traded on the valuation date for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices. Equity securities listed on a U.S. exchange are valued at the latest quoted sales price on the valuation date. Equity securities listed or traded on NASDAQ, for which market quotations are available, are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Short-term debt securities purchased with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board of Directors (the "Directors") determines such valuation does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Directors.

  All other securities and investments for which market values are not readily available, including restricted securities, and those securities for which it is inappropriate to determine prices in accordance with the aforementioned procedures, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Directors, although the actual calculations may be done by others. 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.

  Most foreign markets close before the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). Occasionally, developments that could affect 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 on the NYSE. If these developments are expected to materially affect the value of the securities, the valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Directors.

2.  Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Fund entered into reverse repurchase agreements with institutions that the Fund's investment 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.


15



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

  The weighted average weekly balance of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2010 was approximately $23,336,000 at a weighted average weekly interest rate of 0.66%. At December 31, 2010 the Fund did not have any outstanding reverse repurchase agreements.

3.  Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the bid and ask prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by a major bank 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 sold during the period. 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 exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and 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) on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) 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 investments 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 U.S. securities. In addition, emerging market securities may be subject to substantial governmental involvement in the economy and greater social, economic and political uncertainty.

4.  Derivatives: The Fund may 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 on the value of another underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying instrument and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation


16



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument, risks of default by the other party to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which they relate, and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. 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 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 Investment 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 agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument 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. Futures contracts are bilateral agreements, with both the purchaser and the seller equally obligated to complete the transaction. 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). The risk of loss associated with a futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected as part of "Due from (to) Broker" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures 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 can be highly volatile, using futures can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the Fund's initial investment in such contracts.

  Foreign Currency 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 ("forward contracts"). A foreign currency forward 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. Forward contracts are used to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. Hedging the Fund's currency risks involves the risk of mismatching the Fund's


17



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

objectives under a forward or futures contract with the value of securities denominated in a particular currency. Furthermore, such transactions 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 an additional risk to the effect 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. A currency exchange 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 contract is closed equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

  Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 815, "Derivatives and Hedging: Overall" ("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.

  The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2010.

Primary Risk
Exposure
  Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
  Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
(000)
  Futures
Contracts
(000)(a)
 
Assets:  
Currency
Risk
  Receivables   $ 411     $    
Liabilities:  
Currency
Risk
  Payables   $ (186 )   $    
Interest Rate Risk   Payables           (449 )  
Total Payables       $ (186 )   $ (449 )  

 

(a) This amount represents the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. The Statements of Assets and Liabilities only reflect the current day variation margin, receivable/payable to brokers.

  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 year ended December 31, 2010 in accordance with ASC 815.

Realized Gain (Loss)  
Primary Risk
Exposure
  Derivative
Type
  Value
(000)
 
Currency
Risk
  Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
  $ (1,798 )  
Interest Rate Risk   Futures Contracts     (4,445 )  
Total       $ (6,243 )  
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)  
Primary Risk
Exposure
  Derivative
Type
  Value
(000)
 
Currency
Risk
  Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
  $ 166    
Interest Rate Risk   Futures Contracts     (1,158 )  
Total       $ (992 )  


18



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

  All open derivative positions at period end, if any, are reflected on the Fund's Portfolio of Investments and the volume of these open positions relative to the net assets of the Fund is generally representative of open positions throughout the reporting period.

5.  Security 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 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 backed by U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities. 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 included in the Fund's Statement of Operations in affiliated dividend income and interest income. 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 value of loaned securities and related collateral outstanding at December 31, 2010 were approximately $26,999,000 and $27,577,000, respectively. The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $27,574,000 which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. As of December 31, 2010 there was uninvested cash collateral of approximately $3,000, which is not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund had income from securities lending (after rebates to borrowers and allocation to the securities lending agent) of approximately $18,000. This amount is presented in "Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer" in the Statement of Operations.

6.  Fair Value Measurement: FASB ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the price 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 pricing 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 pricing 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.

•  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.)


19



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

•  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.

  On January 21, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-06. The ASU amends Accounting Standards Codification 820 to add new requirements for disclosures about significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2, which was adopted for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009 as disclosed in the Fair Valuation Measurements summary at the end of the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, separate disclosures for purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements are required for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010.

7.  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. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. 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.  Investment Advisory Fees: Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "U.S. Adviser" or "MS Investment Management") provides investment advisory services to the Fund under the terms of an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement (the "Agreement"). Under the Agreement, the Adviser is paid a fee computed weekly and payable monthly at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average weekly net assets.

C.  Administration Fees: MS Investment Management also serves as Administrator to the Fund pursuant to an Administration Agreement. Under the Administration Agreement, the administration fee is 0.08% of the Fund's average weekly net assets. MS Investment Management has agreed to limit the administration fee through a waiver so that it will be no greater than the previous administration fee (prior to November 1, 2004) of 0.02435% of the Fund's average weekly net assets plus $24,000 per annum. This waiver is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. For the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately $100,000 of administration fees were waived pursuant to this arrangement. Under a sub-administration agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("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. Prior to May 24, 2010, JPMorgan Investor Services Co. ("JPMIS") provided certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator paid JPMIS a portion of the fee the administrator received from the Fund.

D.  Custodian Fees: State Street Bank and Trust Company (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 1940 Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases


20



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to May 24, 2010, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. served as custodian for the Fund in accordance with the custodian agreement.

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its Custodian whereby credits realized on uninvested cash balances were used to offset a portion of the Fund's expenses. If applicable, these custodian credits are shown as "Expense Offset" in the Statement of Operations.

E.  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. Distributions to stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

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 and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

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 Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" on the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years filed in the four year period ended December 31, 2010, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown on 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 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

2010 Distributions
Paid From:
  2009 Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital
Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital
Gain
(000)
 
$ 15,611     $ 7,294     $ 13,364     $    

 

The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to be paid by the Fund are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These book/tax differences are considered either temporary or permanent in nature.

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, expiring capital losses, and basis adjustments for securities sold resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2010:

    Increase (Decrease)  
    Undistributed
(Distributions in
Excess of)
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
(000)
  Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
      $ 72     $ (5,230 )   $ 5,158    


21



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

At December 31, 2010, 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)
 
$ 4,773     $ 872    

 

At December 31, 2010, the U.S. Federal income tax cost basis of investments was approximately $300,899,000 and, accordingly, net unrealized for U.S. Federal income tax purposes was $2,069,000 of which $10,447,000 related to appreciated securities and $8,378,000 related to depreciated securities.

At December 31, 2010, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of approximately $3,659,000 to offset against future capital gains of which $1,900,000 will expire on December 31, 2015 and $1,759,000 will expire on December 31, 2016.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund had utilized and expired capital loss carryforward for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of approximately $6,361,000 and $4,438,000, respectively.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized during the carryforward period as provided by U.S. Federal income tax regulations, 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.

F.  Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Money Market Portfolio (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. Investment 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 year ended December 31, 2010, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $10,000 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 year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:

Market
Value
December 31,
2009
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Sales
Proceeds
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
  Market
Value
December 31,
2010
(000)
 
$ 3,491     $ 256,683     $ 227,137     $ 34     $ 33,037    

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund made purchases and sales totaling approximately $297,069,000 and $302,007,000, respectively, of investment securities other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments.

These investments may be traded by one market maker who may also be utilized by the Fund to provide pricing information used to value such securities. The amounts which will be realized upon disposition of the securities may differ from the value reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the differences could be material.

G.  Other (unaudited): On June 19, 2007, the Directors approved a share repurchase program for purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which the Fund's shares trade from their net asset value. Since the inception of the program, the Fund has repurchased 1,103,366 of its shares at an average discount of 15.74% from net asset value per share. 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.


22



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

H.  Results of Annual Meeting of Stockholders (unaudited): On June 16, 2010, 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   Withheld  
Frank L. Bowman     20,089,471       1,495,377    
James F. Higgins     20,062,070       1,522,778    
Manuel H. Johnson     20,000,156       1,584,692    

 

I.  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.

Federal Income Tax Information (unaudited)

For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2010.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $7,294,000 as long-term capital gain distribution.

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings (unaudited)

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 periodically 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 calendar-quarter basis approximately 31 calendar days after the close of the calendar quarter. The Fund also provides Top 10 holdings information on the public website approximately 15 business days following the end of each month. You may obtain copies of the Fund's monthly or calendar-quarter website postings, by calling toll free 1(800) 231-2608.


23



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

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) 548-7786 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.


24




Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2010, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

  

Boston, Massachusetts
February 24, 2011


25



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Portfolio Management

The Fund is managed within the Emerging Markets Debt team. The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. Current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio are Eric J. Baurmeister, and Federico L. Kaune, each a Managing Director of the Adviser.

Mr. Baurmeister has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1997 and began managing the Fund in July 2002. Mr. Kaune has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 2002 and began managing the Fund in August 2002.


26



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Investment Policy

The Fund may 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 on the value of another underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying instrument and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument, risks of default by the other party to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which they relate, and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. 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. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. 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 Investment 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 may use and their associated risks:

Futures. In respect to futures, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument 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. Futures contracts are bilateral agreements, with both the purchaser and the seller equally obligated to complete the transaction. 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). The risk of loss associated with a futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected as part of "Due from (to) Broker" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures 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 can be highly volatile, using futures can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the Fund's initial investment in such contracts.

Options. In respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If a 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 such as a security, currency or index, at an agreed upon price typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits


27



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Investment Policy (cont'd)

of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premium paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If a Fund sells an option, it sells to another party 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. The Fund may write call and put options on stock indexes, futures, securities or currencies it owns or in which it may invest. Writing put options tend to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying instrument. Writing a call options tend to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying instruments. When the Fund writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability. Any liability recorded is subsequently adjusted to reflect the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the net realized gain or loss. The Fund as a writer of an option has no control over whether the underlying future, security or currency may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the future, security or currency underlying the written option. There is the risk the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market. 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.

Swaps. In respect to swaps, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A swap agreement 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, indexes, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Most 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 agreement 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 counterparty. In a zero-coupon interest rate swap, payment only occurs at maturity, at which time one counterparty pays the total compounded fixed rate over the life of the swap and the other pays the total compounded floating rate that would have been earned had a series of floating rate investments been rolled over through the life of the swap. Swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. Therefore, swaps are subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Swaps could result in losses if interest rate or foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Fund or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected. When the Fund has an unrealized loss on a swap agreement, the Fund has instructed the custodian to pledge cash or liquid securities as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the swap valuations fluctuate. Cash collateral is included with "Due from (to) Broker" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Cash collateral has been offset against open swap agreements under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") "Balance Sheet" (ASC 210) (formerly known as FIN 39). Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts an interpretation of ASC 210-20 (formerly known as APB No. 10 and SFAS 105) and are included within "Swap Agreements, at Value" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For cash collateral received, the Fund pays a


28



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Investment Policy (cont'd)

monthly fee to the counterparty based on the effective rate for Federal Funds. This fee, when paid, is included within realized gain (loss) on swap agreements on the Statement of Operations. The Fund adopted the provisions of the FASB ASC 815-10, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815-10") and ASC 460-10, "Guarantees" ("ASC 460-10"). ASC 815-10 and ASC 460-10 requires the seller of credit derivatives to provide additional disclosure about its credit derivatives. The Fund's use of swaps may include those based on the credit of an underlying security and commonly referred to as credit default swaps. Where the Fund is the buyer of a credit default swap agreement, it would be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty to the agreement only in the event of a default by a third party on the debt obligation. If no default occurs, the Fund would have paid to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement and received no benefit from the agreement. When the Fund is the seller of a credit default swap agreement, it receives the stream of payments but is obligated to pay upon default of the referenced debt obligation. The current credit rating of each individual issuer is listed in the table following the Portfolio of Investments and serves as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk of the credit derivative. Alternatively, for credit default swaps on an index of credits, the quoted market prices and current values serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk of the credit derivative. Generally, lower credit ratings and increasing market values, in absolute terms, represent a deterioration of the credit and a greater likelihood of an adverse credit event of the issuer. Upfront payments received or paid by the Fund will be reflected as an asset or liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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 or market. Structured investments may come in various forms including notes, warrants and options to purchase securities. The Fund will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency or market when direct access to a market is limited or inefficient from a tax or cost standpoint. Investments in structured investments involve risks including counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to counterparty risk because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such 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.

Foreign Currency Forward 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 ("forward contracts"). A foreign currency forward 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. Forward foreign currency exchange 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. A currency exchange 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 contract is closed equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it


29



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Investment Policy (cont'd)

was closed. Hedging the Fund's currency risks involves the risk of mismatching the Fund's objectives under a forward or futures contract with the value of securities denominated in a particular currency. Furthermore, such transactions 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 an additional risk to the effect 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.


30



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan

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 43078
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078
1(800) 231-2608


31



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

U.S. Privacy Policy

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 ("Policy") annually.

This Policy applies to current and former individual clients of certain Morgan Stanley closed-end funds and related companies.

This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, 529 Educational Savings Accounts, accounts subject to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, or similar accounts. We may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to this Policy as required by law.

We Respect Your Privacy

We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information and understand your concerns about safeguarding such information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we help you achieve your financial objectives. This Policy describes what nonpublic personal information we collect about you, how we collect it, when we may share it with others, and how others may use it. It discusses the steps you may take to limit our sharing of information about you with affiliated Morgan Stanley companies ("affiliated companies"). It also discloses how you may limit our affiliates' use of shared information for marketing purposes. Throughout this Policy, we refer to the nonpublic information that personally identifies you or your accounts as "personal information."

1. What Personal Information Do We Collect About You?

To better serve you and manage our business, it is important that we collect and maintain accurate information about you. We obtain this information from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our websites and from third parties and other sources. For example:

•  We collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through application 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.


32



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

U.S. Privacy Policy (cont'd)

•  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." "Cookies" recognize your computer each time you return to one of our sites, and help to improve our sites' content and personalize your experience on our sites by, for example, suggesting offerings that may interest you. Please consult the Terms of Use of these sites for more details on our use of cookies.

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

To provide you with the products and services you request, to better serve you, to manage our business and as otherwise required or permitted by law, we may disclose personal information we collect about you to other affiliated companies and to nonaffiliated third parties.

A. Information We Disclose to Our Affiliated Companies. In order to manage your account(s) effectively, including servicing and processing your transactions, to let you know about products and services offered by us and affiliated companies, to manage our business, and as otherwise required or permitted by law, we may disclose personal information about you to other affiliated companies. Offers for products and services from affiliated companies are developed under conditions designed to safeguard your personal information.

B. Information We Disclose to Third Parties. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to nonaffiliated third parties except to enable them to provide marketing services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, and as otherwise required or permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose information about you to third parties include: 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 nonaffiliated third party, they are required to limit their use of personal information about you to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information about you with others except to fulfill that limited purpose or as may be 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 about you, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality standards with respect to such information.

4. How Can You Limit Our Sharing Of Certain Personal Information About You With Our Affiliated Companies For Eligibility Determination?

We respect your privacy and offer you choices as to whether we share with our affiliated companies personal information that was collected to determine your eligibility for products and services such as credit reports and other information that you have provided to


33



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

U.S. Privacy Policy (cont'd)

us or that we may obtain from third parties ("eligibility information"). Please note that, even if you direct us not to share certain eligibility information with our affiliated companies, we may still share your personal information, including eligibility information, with those companies under circumstances that are permitted under applicable law, such as to process transactions or to service your account. We may also share certain other types of personal information with affiliated companies — such as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and account number(s), and information about your transactions and experiences with us.

5. How Can You Limit the Use of Certain Personal Information About You by our Affiliated Companies for Marketing?

You may limit our affiliated companies from using certain personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products or services to you. This information includes our transactions and other experiences with you such as your assets and account history. Please note that, even if you choose to limit our affiliated companies from using certain personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products and services to you, we may still share such personal information about you with them, including our transactions and experiences with you, for other purposes as permitted under applicable law.

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

If you wish to limit our sharing of certain personal information about you with our affiliated companies for "eligibility purposes" and for our affiliated companies' use in marketing products and services to you as described in this notice, you may do so by:

•  Calling us at (800) 231-2608
Monday–Friday between 9a.m. and 6p.m. (EST)

•  Writing to us at the following address:

  Morgan Stanley Closed-End Privacy Department
Harborside Financial Center, 201 Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

If you choose to write to us, your written request should include: your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-out applies and 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. Once you have informed us about your privacy preferences, 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 are a joint account owner, we will accept instructions from any one of you and apply those instructions to the entire account. Please allow approximately 30 days from our receipt of your opt-out for your instructions to become effective.

Please understand that if you opt-out, you and any joint account holders may not receive certain Morgan Stanley or our affiliated companies' products and services that could help you manage your financial resources and achieve your investment objectives.

If you have more than one account with us or our affiliates, you may receive multiple privacy policies from us, and would need to follow the directions stated in each particular policy for each account you have with us.


34



Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

U.S. Privacy Policy (cont'd)

7. What if an affiliated company becomes a nonaffiliated third party?

If, at any time in the future, an affiliated company becomes a nonaffiliated 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 nonaffiliated 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 nonaffiliated third party.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF VERMONT

This 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 nonaffiliated third parties other than in certain limited circumstances. Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties or other affiliated 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 affiliated companies, please notify us in writing at the following address:

Morgan Stanley Closed-End Privacy Department
Harborside Financial Center, 201 Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

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 personal information with our affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


35



2010 Annual Report

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Director and Officer Information

Independent Directors:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Directors††
 
Frank L. Bowman (66)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis &
Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Director   Since
August
2006
  President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since February 2007); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) through November 2008; retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); Served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1994); Knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; Awarded the Officer de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).   102   Director of BP p.l.c.; Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA and the Naval Submarine League.  
Michael Bozic (70)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Director   Since
April
1994
  Private Investor; Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since April 1994) and Institutional Funds (since July 2003); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (July 2006-September 2006), Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (December 1998-October 2000), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears Roebuck & Co.   104   Director of various business organizations.  


36



2010 Annual Report

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Director and Officer Information (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Directors††
 
Kathleen A. Dennis (57)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Director   Since
August
2006
  President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Money Market and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).   102   Director of various non-profit organizations.  
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (61)
c/o Johnson Smick
Group, Inc.
888 16th Street, N.W. Suite 740
Washington, D.C. 20006
  Director   Since
July
1991
  Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006); Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.   104   Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction); Director of Evergreen Energy; Director of Greenwich Capital Holdings.  
Joseph J. Kearns (68)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC PMB754
23852 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
  Director   Since
August
1994
  President, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and Institutional Funds (since August 1994); formerly Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Institutional Funds (October 2001-July 2003) and since August 1994 for certain predecessor Funds; CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.   105   Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing) and The Ford Family Foundation.  


37



2010 Annual Report

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Director and Officer Information (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Directors††
 
Michael F. Klein (52)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Director   Since
August
2006
  Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000) and Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).   102   Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).  
Michael E. Nugent (74)
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
  Chairperson of the
Board and Director
  Chairperson of the Boards since July 2006 and Director since July 1991   General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership); Chairperson of the Boards of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since July 2006); Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and Institutional Funds (since July 2001); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (until July 2006).   104   None.  
W. Allen Reed (63)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Director   Since
August
2006
  Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, President and CEO of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (July 1994-December 2005).   102   Director of Temple-Inland Industries (packaging and forest products), Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the Auburn University Foundation; formerly, Director of iShares, Inc. (2001-2006).  
Fergus Reid (78)
c/o Joe Pietryka, Inc.
85 Charles Coleman Blvd. Pawling, NY 12564
  Director   Since
June
1992
  Chairman, Joe Pietryka, Inc.; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and Institutional Funds (since June 1992).   105   Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the JPMorgan Funds complex managed by JP Morgan Investment Management Inc.  


38



2010 Annual Report

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Director and Officer Information (cont'd)

Interested Director:

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Interested
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Interested
Director††
 
James F. Higgins (62)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
  Director   Since
June
2000
  Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since June 2000) and Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000).   103   Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (financial services).  

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Retail Funds or Institutional Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

††  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.

**  The Fund Complex includes all funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management (as of December 31, 2010) that have an investment advisor that is an affiliated entity of MSIM (including but not limited to, Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. ("MSIA") and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP). The Retail Funds are those funds advised by MSIA. The Institutional Funds are certain U.S. registered funds advised by MSIM and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP.


39



2010 Annual Report

December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

Director and Officer Information (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Age and Address of Executive Officer   Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years  
Sara Furber (36)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  President and Principal Executive Officer — Equity and Fixed Income Funds   Since
September
2010
  President and Principal Executive Officer (since September 2010) of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds in the Fund Complex; Managing Director and Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser (since July 2010). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer for Global Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (January 2009 to April 2010); Head of Merrill Lynch & Co. Investor Relations (July 2007 to December 2008); with senior roles in Strategy and Business Development as well as within Merrill Lynch's Global Credit & Commitments organization prior to July 2007.  
Mary Ann Picciotto (37)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
  Chief Compliance Officer   Since
May
2010
  Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since May 2010); Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser and Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (since April 2007).  
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (44)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Vice President   Since
December
1997
  Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Vice President of the Retail Funds (since July 2002) and Institutional Funds (since December 1997). Formerly, Secretary of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser.  
Mary E. Mullin (43)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Secretary   Since
June
1999
  Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Secretary of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and Institutional Funds (since June 1999).  
Francis J. Smith (45)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
  Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer   Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002   Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and Institutional Funds (since March 2010).  

 

*  This is the earliest date the Officer began serving the Retail Funds or Institutional Funds. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.




 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

(a)           The Trust/Fund has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Trust/Fund or a third party.

 

(b)           No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)           Not applicable.

 

(d)           Not applicable.

 

(e)           Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

(1)           The Trust/Fund’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit  12 A.

 

(2)           Not applicable.

 

(3)           Not applicable.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees has determined that Joseph J. Kearns, an “independent” Trustee, is an “audit committee financial expert” serving on its audit committee. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)(b)(c)(d) and (g).  Based on fees billed for the periods shown:

 



 

2010

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

88,700

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

 

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

3,380

(2)

$

199,783

(3)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

90,520

(4)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

3,380

 

$

290,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

92,080

 

$

290,303

 

 

2009

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

88,700

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

(2)

$

,   ,   

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

3,380

(2)

$

109,924

(3)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

208,088

(4)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

3,380

 

$

318,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

92,080

 

$

318,012

 

 


N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4.

 

(1)          Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.

(2)          Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities’ and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically data verification and agreed-upon procedures related to asset securitizations and agreed-upon procedures engagements.

(3)          Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the preparation and review of the Registrant’s tax returns.

(4)          Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the review of Covered Entities’ tax returns.

(5)          All other fees represent project management for future business applications and improving business and operational processes.

 



 

(e)(1) The audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows:

 

APPENDIX A

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

 

AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED JULY 23, 2004,(1)

 

1.              Statement of Principles

 

The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund.

 

The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor.  The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid.  Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee or its delegate (“specific pre-approval”).  The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors.  As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated) if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors.  Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee.  The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers and provides a different period and states otherwise.  The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the Independent Auditors without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.

 


(1)                                  This Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”), adopted as of the date above, supersedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been adopted from time to time.

 



 

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the policy and procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities.  It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors to management.

 

The Fund’s Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors’ independence.

 

2.              Delegation

 

As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members.  The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

3.              Audit Services

 

The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee.  Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements.  These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit.  The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.

 

In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other Audit services, which are those services that only the Independent Auditors reasonably can provide.  Other Audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1.  All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

4.              Audit-related Services

 

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors.  Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services.  Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters

 



 

not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B.2.  All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B.2 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

5.              Tax Services

 

The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services.

 

Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix B.3.  All Tax services in Appendix B.3 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

6.              All Other Services

 

The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the Independent Auditors from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted.  Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix B.4.  Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix B.4 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

7.              Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee.  Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services.

 

8.              Procedures

 

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be

 



 

rendered.  The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors.  Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy.  The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring.  Both the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer or any member of management.

 

9.              Additional Requirements

 

The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

 

10.       Covered Entities

 

Covered Entities include the Fund’s investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s).  Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.  This list of Covered Entities would include:

 

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 



 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

 

(e)(2)  Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures (attached hereto).

 

(f)            Not applicable.

 

(g)         See table above.

 

(h)   The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence in performing audit services.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a) The Fund has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are:

Joseph Kearns, Michael Nugent and Allen Reed.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

 

(a) See Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 



 

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

 

The Fund/Trust invests in exclusively non-voting securities and therefore this item is not applicable.

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

FUND MANAGEMENT

 

The Fund is managed by members of the Emerging Markets Debt team.  The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts.  Current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are Eric J. Baurmeister and Federico L. Kaune, each a Managing Director of the Adviser.  Mr. Baurmeister has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1997 and joined the team managing the Fund in July 2002.  Mr. Kaune has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 2002 and joined the team managing the Fund in August 2002.

 

The composition of the team may change without notice from time to time.

 

OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

The following information is as of December 31, 2010:

 

Mr. Baurmeister managed seven registered investment companies with a total of approximately $2.3 billion in assets; 19 pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies with approximately $2.2 billion in assets; and 15 other accounts with a total of approximately $4.9 billion in assets.  Of these other account, two accounts with a total of approximately $455.2 million in assets, had performance based fees.

 

Mr. Kaune managed seven registered investment companies with a total of approximately $2.3 billion in assets; 19 pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies with approximately $2.2 billion in assets; and 15 other accounts with a total of approximately $4.9 billion in assets.  Of these other account, two accounts with a total of approximately $455.2 million in assets, had performance based fees.

 

Because the portfolio managers manages assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund.  In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Adviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Adviser’s employee benefits and/or deferred compensation plans.  The portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor these accounts over others.  If the Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaged in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.  The Adviser has adopted trade allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest.

 



 

Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure

 

Portfolio managers receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash bonus and several deferred compensation programs described below. The methodology used to determine portfolio manager compensation is applied across all funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

 

Base salary compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Adviser.

 

Discretionary compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation.

 

Discretionary compensation can include:

 

· Cash Bonus.

 

· Morgan Stanley’s Long Term Incentive Compensation awards—a mandatory program that defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock or other investments that are subject to vesting and other conditions.

 

· Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP) awards — a mandatory program that defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation and notionally invests it in designated funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. The award is subject to vesting and other conditions. Portfolio managers must notionally invest a minimum of 25% to a maximum of 100% of their IMAP deferral account into a combination of the designated funds they manage that are included in the IMAP fund menu, which may or may not include the Fund. For 2008 awards, a clawback provision was implemented that could be triggered if the individual engages in conduct detrimental to the Adviser or its affiliates. For 2009 awards, this provision was further strengthened to allow Morgan Stanley to clawback compensation in certain situations such as a material restatement of Morgan Stanley’s financial statement or losses on certain trading positions, investments or holdings.

 

· Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans—voluntary programs that permit certain employees to elect to defer a portion of their discretionary year-end compensation and notionally invest the deferred amount across a range of designated investment funds, which may include funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates.

 

Several factors determine discretionary compensation, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances. These factors include but are not limited to performance (team, product, Morgan Stanley Investment Management and individual), revenues generated by the fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager, assets managed by the portfolio manager, market compensation survey research by independent third parties and other qualitative factors, such as contributions to client objectives.

 

Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers

 

As of December 31, 2010, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fund.

 



 

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

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

mo-da-year — mo-da-year

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)  The Trust’s/Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Trust’s/Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust/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) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto.

 

(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/ Sara Furber

 

Sara Furber

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

February 17, 2011

 

 

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/ Sara Furber

 

Sara Furber

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

February 17, 2011

 

 

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

February 17, 2011