Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC has launched and currently manages the open-ended fixed-income mutual fund, Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. The fund operates with co-management from Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited, and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. and invests in fixed income markets across emerging market countries worldwide. Its investment criteria specifies fixed income securities from governments, government-related entities, and corporations, with no limitations on maturity or quality. To curate its portfolio, the fund utilizes fundamental analysis alongside a top-down security selection strategy. Key considerations taken include currency, inflation and interest rate trends, growth rate forecasts, liquidity of markets for that country's debt, political outlook, and tax environment. JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global serves as the benchmark for the fund's portfolio performance. The fund was formerly known as Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. and was established on December 1, 2003. It is registered in the United States.