Edgar Filing: Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

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			811-22011

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York					10036
(Address of principal executive offices)					(Zip code)

John H. Gernon 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:				212-296-0289

Date of fiscal year end:	October 31,

Date of reporting period:		October 31, 2016

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

Directors

Frank L. Bowman

Kathleen A. Dennis

Nancy C. Everett

Jakki L. Haussler

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

Joseph J. Kearns

Michael F. Klein

Michael E. Nugent,

Chair of the Board

W. Allen Reed

Fergus Reid

Officers

John H. Gernon

President and Principal
Executive Officer

Timothy J. Knierim

Chief Compliance Officer

Francis J. Smith

Treasurer and Principal
Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin

Secretary

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Stockholder Servicing Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

211 Quality Circle, Suite 210

College Station, Texas 77845

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112

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.

CEEDDANN
1651942 EXP 12.31.17

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley
Investment Management Inc.
Adviser

Morgan Stanley
Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.
NYSE: EDD

Annual Report

October 31, 2016

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Table of Contents

Letter to Stockholders					3
Portfolio of Investments					6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities					11
Statement of Operations					12
Statements of Changes in Net Assets					13
Statement of Cash Flows					14
Financial Highlights					15
Notes to Financial Statements					16
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm					28
Investment Advisory Agreement Approval					29
Portfolio Management					32
Investment Policy					33
Dividend Reinvestment Plan					38
Privacy Notice					39
Director and Officer Information					43

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Letter to Stockholders (unaudited)

Performance

For the year ended October 31, 2016, the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") had total returns of 10.37%, based on net asset value, and 15.59% based on market value per share (including reinvestment of distributions), compared to its benchmark, the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets Global Diversified Index (the "Index"),* which returned 11.04%. On October 31, 2016, the closing price of the Fund's shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $7.87, representing a 11.9% discount to the Fund's net asset value per share. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained.

Factors Affecting Performance

• Emerging markets (EM) asset prices touched their lows for the reporting period in January 2016 as commodity prices and economic growth bottomed. As the negative headwinds from global macro trends and idiosyncratic events faded, EM domestic debt prices led the way higher among risky assets, returning 11.04% as measured by the Index in U.S. dollar terms. Within the Index, local EM bond performance returned 9.99%, while EM currencies strengthened 1.06% versus the U.S. dollar.ⁱ Domestic debt from Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, Peru, and Chile outperformed the broader market, driven primarily by local bond performance, with currency strength in Chile and Brazil also aiding performance measured in U.S. dollars. Conversely, currency weakness versus the U.S. dollar weighed on the performance of domestic debt from Mexico, Poland, Romania, the Philippines, and Turkey, which lagged the broader market.

• During the latter part of 2015 and the early part of 2016, downgrades to the outlook for global economic growth, particularly in China, pressured commodity prices, especially oil, which touched multi-year lows in January. Sentiment subsequently improved and asset prices turned the corner in February as energy and commodity prices rebounded and China fears eased in tandem with a weaker U.S. dollar and accommodative central bank policies. Geopolitics and idiosyncratic events such as the U.K. Brexit, Brazil's impeachment of former-President Rousseff, Italian bank capitalization concerns, and an attempted coup in Turkey drove periodic volatility in the market.

• Economic weakness in Europe was met by further quantitative easing (QE) support by the European Central Bank (ECB), lowering yields across Europe and driving a search for yield and duration, which further accelerated in the second quarter of 2016 and post the Brexit vote. The search for yield drove inflows into EM assets, which, combined with attractive valuations and stabilizing fundamentals, provided support to fixed income assets. The easing of monetary policy and economic weakness in Europe was in contrast to overall steady growth in the U.S., which supported the U.S. Federal Reserve's (Fed) December 2015 decision to hike interest rates for the first time in over nine years. However, the Fed was forced to slow its hiking cycle as global factors and a second-quarter slowdown in U.S. economic growth weighed on its outlook.

• Brazil completed its seven-year ratings roundtrip after Moody's stripped the country of its final investment grade rating while policymakers were distracted by the far-reaching corruption probe, Lava Jato, which continued to claim political and business leaders as President Dilma Rousseff was impeached. Vice President Michel Temer was elevated to acting president, but despite a

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Letter to Stockholders (unaudited) (cont'd)

strong start toward making the necessary changes in reforming the economy, his acting administration was marred by allegations that his appointed planning minister, Romero Juca, was attempting to obstruct the Lava Jato corruption probe. Despite the turmoil, investors were hopeful that the new administration would signal a turning point for the country, driving a rally in Brazilian assets.

• The unsuccessful coup in Turkey provided President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an opportunity to consolidate power and purge over 100,000 civil servants. The weakening of the country's institutional framework, coupled with weaker economic growth and growing external funding requirements, contributed to Moody's decision to downgrade the country's foreign currency debt rating to below investment grade (Ba1 from Baa3). Concerns over Mexico's fiscal spending and the rapid deterioration of the country's debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) level triggered S&P to lower its ratings outlook for the country's BBB+ rating to negative from stable. Mexico also faced deteriorating sentiment. With negative rhetoric toward Mexico prominently featured in the U.S. presidential election adding to the negative headwinds for the country, the government of Mexico must take more concrete steps in the fiscal consolidation effort to convince ratings agencies and investors. The weakening fundamental outlook in Mexico and Turkey contributed to the weakness of their currencies versus the U.S. dollar.

• Overall, performance was a tale of two periods, where the market retreated from November to February, before moving higher through the rest of the period. During the period, the Fund benefited from the use of leverage and broad duration positioning. Investments in Argentina were beneficial to performance over the year as the country returned to international debt markets. Also contributing to performance was duration and yield curve positioning in Brazil, Peru, Turkey, Russia, Hungary, Romania, and India. Security selection in Peru, Turkey, and Indonesia was also beneficial to relative performance.

• The use of derivatives both contributed and detracted from performance during the period. The primary instruments used were bond futures (U.S. Treasury and German bund) and currency forwards. Bond futures were used to hedge interest rate exposure and currency forwards were used to hedge or add to currency exposure.

• Broadly, currency positioning was detrimental to relative performance, particularly in Mexico, South Africa, Colombia, and Poland.

Management Strategies

• Subject to potential near-term event risks being resolved in the next few weeks, we remain optimistic about the prospects for EM fixed income as fundamentals, technicals, and the macro environment remain supportive. The various factors both pushing and pulling investors into EM fixed income remain in place: developed market yields remain very low, economic data in emerging markets appears to have stabilized, fears of multiple Fed rate hikes have subsided, and concerns of a sharp slowdown in China have diminished. We believe that EM assets could well absorb a Fed rate hike if driven by the prospects for higher growth; however, assets remain vulnerable to rate hikes driven by a surge in inflation. The emerging markets/developed markets growth differential has stabilized and appears to be recovering in favor of emerging markets as the negative growth impacts from Brazil

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Letter to Stockholders (unaudited) (cont'd)

and Russia lessen. China's growth slowdown is likely to continue in the medium term, with short-term growth prospects reliant on continued fiscal and monetary policy support. U.S. elections reflect a potential event risk for some key emerging markets and the outlook for global trade.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer November 2016

*J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index — Emerging Markets Global Diversified Index tracks local currency government bonds issued by emerging markets. It is not possible to invest directly in an Index.

ⁱ Source: J.P. Morgan

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Portfolio of Investments

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

	Face Amount (000)		Value (000)
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES (97.1%)
Argentina (3.7%)
Corporate Bond (1.0%)
YPF SA, 26.33%, 7/7/20 (a)(b)	$	7,500	$	8,302
Sovereign (2.7%)
Argentina Bonar Bonds, 25.00%, 10/9/17 (b)	ARS	148,220		9,353
Argentina Treasury Bond, 2.25%, 4/28/20		92,300		6,064
Republic of Argentina, 18.20%, 10/3/21		114,900		8,014
				23,431
				31,733
Brazil (13.5%)
Sovereign (13.5%)
Brazil Letras do Tesouro Nacional, 0.00%, 1/1/19	BRL	31,220		7,758
Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional, Series F, 10.00%, 1/1/21 - 1/1/23		366,381		110,332
				118,090
Chile (0.2%)
Sovereign (0.2%)
Chile Government International Bond, 5.50%, 8/5/20	CLP	1,165,000		1,899
Colombia (6.3%)
Corporate Bond (0.5%)
Fideicomiso PA Costera, 6.25%, 1/15/34 (a)	COP	13,958,175		4,375
Sovereign (5.8%)
Colombia Government International Bond, 9.85%, 6/28/27		22,100,000		8,903
Colombian TES, 7.75%, 9/18/30		16,848,100		5,758
10.00%, 7/24/24		74,128,500		29,033
Financiera de Desarrollo Territorial SA Findeter, 7.88%, 8/12/24 (a)		21,492,000		6,762
				50,456
				54,831

	Face Amount (000)		Value (000)
Hungary (4.4%)
Sovereign (4.4%)
Hungary Government Bond, 3.00%, 6/26/24	HUF	1,200,000	$	4,381
5.50%, 6/24/25		4,700,000		20,150
7.50%, 11/12/20		3,154,000		13,829
				38,360
India (1.0%)
Sovereign (1.0%)
India Government Bond, 8.40%, 7/28/24	INR	550,000		8,916
Indonesia (11.0%)
Sovereign (11.0%)
Barclays Bank PLC, Indonesia Government Bonds, Credit Linked Notes, 10.00%, 7/17/17 (a)	IDR	90,000,000		22,884
Credit Suisse, Indonesia Government Bonds, Credit Linked Notes, 10.00%, 7/17/17		54,683,530		12,206
Indonesia Treasury Bond, 8.38%, 3/15/34		2,600,000		16,311
8.75%, 5/15/31		12,855,000		35,399
9.00%, 3/15/29		5,894,000		9,020
				95,820
Malaysia (4.6%)
Sovereign (4.6%)
Malaysia Government Bond, 3.96%, 9/15/25	MYR	23,754		5,750
4.18%, 7/15/24		141,175		34,721
				40,471
Mexico (11.6%)
Sovereign (11.6%)
Mexican Bonos, 6.50%, 6/10/21	MXN	677,185		36,654
7.75%, 5/29/31 - 11/23/34		207,500		12,167
8.50%, 5/31/29		188,400		11,672
Petroleos Mexicanos, (Units) 7.65%, 11/24/21 (a)(c)		791,300		40,693
				101,186

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

	Face Amount (000)		Value (000)
Peru (3.1%)
Sovereign (3.1%)
Peru Government Bond, (Units) 5.70%, 8/12/24 (c)	PEN	44,037	$	13,434
Peruvian Government International Bond, (Units) 5.70%, 8/12/24 (a)(c)		14,001		4,271
6.35%, 8/12/28 (a)(c)		16,390		5,026
8.20%, 8/12/26 (c)		13,154		4,647
				27,378
Poland (10.6%)
Sovereign (10.6%)
Poland Government Bond, 3.25%, 7/25/25	PLN	50,950		13,213
5.25%, 10/25/20		130,500		36,999
5.75%, 9/23/22		141,500		41,960
				92,172
Romania (1.3%)
Sovereign (1.3%)
Romania Government Bond, 4.75%, 2/24/25	RON	42,515		11,648
Russia (6.7%)
Sovereign (6.7%)
Russian Federal Bond — OFZ, 6.70%, 5/15/19	RUB	760,300		11,537
7.05%, 1/19/28		1,775,000		25,372
8.15%, 2/3/27		1,398,800		21,769
				58,678
South Africa (9.0%)
Sovereign (9.0%)
South Africa Government Bond, 6.75%, 3/31/21	ZAR	604,200		42,584
7.25%, 1/15/20		24		2
8.00%, 1/31/30		524,450		35,628
				78,214
Thailand (1.4%)
Sovereign (1.4%)
Thailand Government Bond, 3.63%, 6/16/23	THB	380,000		11,976

	Face Amount (000)		Value (000)
Turkey (8.7%)
Corporate Bond (3.6%)
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS, 7.38%, 3/7/18 (a)	TRY	102,980	$	31,608
Sovereign (5.1%)
Turkey Government Bond, 7.10%, 3/8/23		38,300		10,862
8.00%, 3/12/25		55,950		16,274
10.50%, 1/15/20		52,225		17,443
				44,579
				76,187
TOTAL FIXED INCOME SECURITIES (Cost $982,499)				847,559
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (2.9%)
U.S. Treasury Security (0.9%)
U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.41%, 3/23/17 (d) (Cost $8,217)	$	8,230		8,218
Argentina (2.0%)
Sovereign (2.0%)
Letras del Banco Central de la Republica Argentina, 28.25%, 1/11/17	ARS	52,710		3,313
29.50%, 1/11/17		52,920		3,327
30.25%, 12/28/16		72,500		4,597
30.50%, 12/28/16		95,280		6,040
Total Sovereign (Cost $18,361)				17,277
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $26,578)				25,495
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.0%) (Cost $1,009,077) (e)(f)				873,054
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS				(273,935	)
NET ASSETS			$	599,119

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

(b) Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on October 31, 2016.

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

(d) Rate shown is the yield to maturity at October 31, 2016.

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

(f) At October 31, 2016, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $1,098,229,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is

approximately $17,470,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $242,645,000 resulting in net unrealized depreciation of approximately $225,175,000.

OFZ Obilgatsyi Federal'novo Zaima (Russian Federal Loan Obligation)

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

The Fund had the following foreign currency forward exchange contracts open at October 31, 2016:

Counterparty	Contracts to Deliver (000)		In Exchange For (000)		Delivery Date	Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) (000)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	2,200	$	673	11/3/16	$	(16	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	34,000	$	10,735	11/3/16		83
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	8,800	$	2,766	11/3/16		9
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	113,358	$	35,635	11/3/16		122
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	2,800	$	880	11/3/16		3
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	2,705	BRL	8,800	11/3/16		52
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	878	BRL	2,800	11/3/16		(1	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	36,044	BRL	113,358	11/3/16		(531	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	692	BRL	2,200	11/3/16		(2	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	10,688	BRL	34,000	11/3/16		(36	)
State Street Bank and Trust Co.	BRL	88,758	$	27,206	11/3/16		(600	)
State Street Bank and Trust Co.	IDR	394,438,000	$	30,225	11/3/16		(1	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	TRY	71,382	$	23,505	11/4/16		451
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	TRY	15,000	$	4,905	11/4/16		61
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	TRY	31,570	$	10,259	11/4/16		62
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	8,756	TRY	27,000	11/4/16		(36	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	HUF	1,715,400	$	6,207	11/14/16		108
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	HUF	1,800,000	$	6,350	11/14/16		(50	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	PHP	292,000	$	6,039	11/14/16		9
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	PLN	22,000	$	5,598	11/14/16		(8	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	RON	18,500	$	4,508	11/14/16		(—	@)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	RON	12,000	$	2,912	11/14/16		(12	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	RUB	1,588,054	$	25,130	11/14/16		157
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	SGD	8,220	$	5,961	11/14/16		52
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	SGD	8,300	$	5,998	11/14/16		32
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	SGD	8,350	$	5,989	11/14/16		(13	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	6,013	HUF	1,700,000	11/14/16		31
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	2,577	PHP	126,500	11/14/16		35
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	5,977	PHP	287,000	11/14/16		(50	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	2,613	PLN	10,150	11/14/16		(26	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	2,790	RON	11,360	11/14/16		(21	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	5,610	RON	23,000	11/14/16		(6	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	4,997	RON	20,600	11/14/16		23

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: (cont'd)

Counterparty	Contracts to Deliver (000)		In Exchange For (000)		Delivery Date	Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) (000)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	9,441	RUB	590,000	11/14/16	$	(163	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	5,959	SGD	8,250	11/14/16		(29	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	31,600	THB	1,119,700	11/14/16		384
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	1,443	THB	50,900	11/14/16		11
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	5,913	ZAR	84,500	11/14/16		338
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	6,187	ZAR	84,000	11/14/16		28
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	ZAR	226,626	$	15,903	11/14/16		(865	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	ZAR	119,300	$	8,568	11/14/16		(259	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	ZAR	42,000	$	3,017	11/14/16		(91	)
Citibank NA	COP	12,600,000	$	4,278	11/15/16		97
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	COP	37,522,000	$	12,804	11/15/16		352
State Street Bank and Trust Co.	INR	200,000	$	2,981	11/15/16		(8	)
State Street Bank and Trust Co.	INR	410,000	$	6,107	11/15/16		(20	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	EUR	2,000	$	2,175	11/16/16		(22	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	2,922	EUR	2,679	11/16/16		21
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	21,569	MYR	90,490	11/21/16		(22	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	4,869	CLP	3,255,000	11/25/16		106
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	17,752	PEN	60,400	11/25/16		160
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	MXN	586,663	$	31,296	11/28/16		344
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	MXN	218,000	$	11,472	11/28/16		(30	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	4,602	MXN	87,200	11/28/16		(1	)
State Street Bank and Trust Co.	IDR	394,438,000	$	30,117	12/1/16		—	@
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	113,358	$	35,728	12/2/16		515
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	BRL	77,300	$	23,950	12/2/16		(61	)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA	$	11,959	BRL	38,300	12/2/16		(62	)
Citibank NA	ARS	76,760	$	4,583	12/30/16		(313	)
Citibank NA	ARS	77,080	$	4,583	12/30/16		(333	)
Citibank NA	ARS	194,500	$	12,256	12/30/16		(149	)
Citibank NA	ARS	25,000	$	1,518	12/30/16		(76	)
Citibank NA	$	10,631	ARS	168,500	12/30/16		115
Citibank NA	ARS	19,640	$	1,205	1/18/17		(33	)
Citibank NA	ARS	5,860	$	360	1/18/17		(10	)
Citibank NA	ARS	101,000	$	6,364	1/18/17		(3	)
Citibank NA	CNY	250,000	$	36,380	4/25/17		(355	)
Citibank NA	ARS	87,400	$	5,141	6/13/17		13
Citibank NA	ARS	34,900	$	2,053	6/13/17		5
Citibank NA	ARS	52,000	$	2,921	6/13/17		(130	)
Citibank NA	ARS	137,800	$	7,520	6/13/17		(566	)
Citibank NA	$	6,254	ARS	108,000	6/13/17		83
Citibank NA	$	12,441	ARS	212,000	6/13/17		(2	)
Citibank NA	$	8,771	ARS	152,000	6/13/17		148
						$	(1,002	)

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Futures Contracts:

The Fund had the following futures contracts open at October 31, 2016:

	Number of Contracts		Value (000)			Expiration Date	Unrealized Appreciation (000)
Short:
German Euro BOBL		387	$	(55,699	)	Dec-16	$	291
U.S. Treasury 10 yr. Note		222		(28,777	)	Dec-16		86
							$	377

@ Value is less than $500.

ARS — Argentine Peso

BRL — Brazilian Real

CLP — Chilean Peso

CNY — Chinese Yuan Renminbi

COP — Colombian Peso

EUR — Euro

HUF — Hungarian Forint

IDR — Indonesian Rupiah

INR — Indian Rupee

MXN — Mexican Peso

MYR — Malaysian Ringgit

PEN — Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PHP — Philippine Peso

PLN — Polish Zloty

RON — Romanian New Leu

RUB — Russian Ruble

SGD — Singapore Dollar

THB — Thai Baht

TRY — Turkish Lira

ZAR — South African Rand

Portfolio Composition

Classification	Percentage of Total Investments
Sovereign		92.0	%
Corporate Bonds		5.1
Other*		2.9
Total Investments		100.0	%**

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

** Does not include open short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of approximately $84,476,000 with total unrealized appreciation of approximately $378,000. Does not include open foreign currency forward exchange contracts with net unrealized depreciation of approximately $1,002,000.

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities	October 31, 2016 (000)
Assets:
Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $1,009,077)	$	873,054
Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $2,412)		2,436
Interest Receivable		17,481
Unrealized Appreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts		4,010
Receivable for Investments Sold		2,590
Due from Broker		417
Receivable for Variation Margin on Futures Contracts		377
Dividends Receivable		2
Receivable from Affiliate		1
Other Assets		36
Total Assets		900,404
Liabilities:
Payable for Line of Credit		294,843
Unrealized Depreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts		5,012
Payable for Advisory Fees		761
Bank Overdraft		402
Payable for Custodian Fees		132
Payable for Administration Fees		61
Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax		24
Payable for Professional Fees		22
Payable for Stockholder Servicing Agent Fees		2
Other Liabilities		26
Total Liabilities		301,285
Net Assets
Applicable to 67,125,800 Issued and Outstanding $0.01 Par Value Shares (100,000,000 Shares Authorized)	$	599,119
Net Asset Value Per Share	$	8.93
Net Assets Consist of:
Common Stock	$	671
Paid-in-Capital		872,868
Accumulated Net Investment Loss		(61,043	)
Accumulated Net Realized Loss		(76,538	)
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:
Investments (Net of $24 of Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax)		(136,047	)
Futures Contracts		377
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts		(1,002	)
Foreign Currency Translations		(167	)
Net Assets	$	599,119

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statement of Operations	Year Ended October 31, 2016 (000)
Investment Income:
Interest from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $416 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)	$	67,656
Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note F)		23
Total Investment Income		67,679
Expenses:
Advisory Fees (Note B)		8,697
Interest Expense on Line of Credit (Note G)		4,948
Administration Fees (Note C)		696
Custodian Fees (Note D)		505
Professional Fees		129
Stockholder Reporting Expenses		100
Directors' Fees and Expenses		15
Stockholder Servicing Agent Fees		9
Other Expenses		211
Expenses Before Non Operating Expenses		15,310
Bank Overdraft Expense		10
Total Expenses		15,320
Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note F)		(13	)
Reimbursement of Custodian Fees (Note D)		(61	)
Net Expenses		15,246
Net Investment Income		52,433
Realized Gain (Loss):
Investments Sold (Net of $372 of Capital Gain Country Tax)		(157,191	)
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts		146,616
Foreign Currency Transactions		(178,567	)
Futures Contracts		(1,532	)
Net Realized Loss		(190,674	)
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):
Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $24)		181,840
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts		3,091
Foreign Currency Translations		196
Futures Contracts		377
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)		185,504
Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)		(5,170	)
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations	$	47,263

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statements of Changes in Net Assets	Year Ended October 31, 2016 (000)			Year Ended October 31, 2015 (000)
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
Net Investment Income	$	52,433		$	54,970
Net Realized Loss		(190,674	)		(107,581	)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)		185,504			(211,894	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations		47,263			(264,505	)
Distributions from and/or in Excess of:
Paid-in-Capital		(51,099	)		(62,394	)
Total Distributions		(51,099	)		(62,394	)
Capital Share Transactions:
Repurchase of Shares (830,897 and 1,858,510 shares)		(6,032	)		(18,582	)
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions		(6,032	)		(18,582	)
Total Decrease		(9,868	)		(345,481	)
Net Assets:
Beginning of Period		608,987			954,468
End of Period (Including Accumulated Net Investment Loss of $(61,043) and $(47,193))	$	599,119		$	608,987

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Financial Statements (cont'd)

Statement of Cash Flows	Year Ended October 31, 2016 (000)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Proceeds from Sales and Maturities of Long-Term Investments	$	751,462
Purchase of Long-Term Investments		(713,711	)
Net (Increase) Decrease in Short-Term Investments		(10,313	)
Net (Increase) Decrease in Foreign Currency Holdings		(627	)
Net Realized Gain (Loss) for Foreign Currency Transactions, Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts and Futures Contracts		(33,926	)
Net Investment Income		52,433
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Investment Income to Net Cash Provided for (Used by) Operating Activities:
Net (Increase) Decrease in Interest Receivable		(222	)
Net (Increase) Decrease in Receivables Related to Operations		1,975
Net (Increase) Decrease in Advisory Fees Payable		7
Net (Increase) Decrease in Interest Payable		8
Net (Increase) Decrease in Payables Related to Operations		(64	)
Accretion/Amortization of Discounts and Premiums		(7,001	)
Net Cash Provided for (Used by) Operating Activities		40,021
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net Cash Proceeds for Line of Credit		17,500
Cash Paid for Repurchase of Shares		(6,478	)
Cash Distribution Paid		(51,099	)
Net Cash Provided for (Used by) Financing Activities		(40,077	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash		(56	)
Cash at Beginning of Period		(346	)
Cash at End of Period	$	(402	)
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Interest Paid on Line of Credit during the Period	$	4,940

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Financial Highlights

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

	Year Ended October 31,
	2016(1)			2015			2014			2013			2012
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$	8.96		$	13.67		$	16.45		$	17.71		$	17.34
Net Investment Income(2)		0.78			0.80			0.94			1.19			1.32
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)		(0.07	)		(4.64	)		(2.11	)		(1.48	)		0.20
Total from Investment Operations		0.71			(3.84	)		(1.17	)		(0.29	)		1.52
Distributions from and/or in excess of:
Net Investment Income		—			—			(0.49	)		(1.00	)		(1.15	)
Net Realized Gain		—			—			(0.51	)		—			—
Paid-in-Capital		(0.76	)		(0.91	)		(0.65	)		—			—
Total Distributions		(0.76	)		(0.91	)		(1.65	)		(1.00	)		(1.15	)
Anti-Dilutive Effect of Share Repurchase Program		0.02			0.04			0.04			0.03			—
Net Asset Value, End of Period	$	8.93		$	8.96		$	13.67		$	16.45		$	17.71
Per Share Market Value, End of Period	$	7.87		$	7.54		$	11.96		$	14.35		$	16.47
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:(3)
Market Value		15.59	%		(30.35	)%		(5.52	)%		(7.21	)%		11.38	%
Net Asset Value		10.37	%		(27.58	)%		(5.80	)%		(1.08	)%		9.61	%
RATIOS, SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)	$	599,119		$	608,987		$	954,468		$	1,172,019		$	1,283,101
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets		2.60	%(4)		2.44	%(4)		2.20	%(4)		2.10	%(4)		2.16	%(4)
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Excluding Interest Expense		1.76	%(4)		1.74	%(4)		1.63	%(4)		1.59	%(4)		1.59	%(4)
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets		8.89	%(4)		7.37	%(4)		6.30	%(4)		6.72	%(4)		7.63	%(4)
Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates to Average Net Assets		0.00	%(5)		0.00	%(5)		0.00	%(5)		0.00	%(5)		0.00	%(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate		80	%		36	%		107	%		75	%		64	%

(1) Refer to Note D in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in the current period. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of the Fund. The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2) Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3) 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. Total returns are based upon the market value and net asset value on the last business day of each period.

(4) 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."

(5) Amount is less than 0.005%.

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

The Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") was incorporated in Maryland on January 25, 2007 and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"). The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary investment objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in emerging markets domestic debt. To the extent the Fund invests in derivative instruments that Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), believes have economic characteristics similar to such securities, such investments will be counted for purposes of meeting the Fund's investment objective. To the extent the Fund makes such investments, the Fund will be subject to the risk of such derivative instruments as described herein.

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

1. Security Valuation: (1) Bonds and other fixed income securities may be valued according to the broadest and most representative market. In addition, bonds and other fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service/vendor. The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads, and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of securities and other financial instruments for which market prices are not readily available. Under these procedures, the Valuation Committee convenes on a regular and ad hoc basis to review such securities and considers a number of factors, including valuation methodologies and significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Valuation Committee may employ a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair

values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of valuation methodologies, key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

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

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

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

• Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of October 31, 2016.

Investment Type	Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices (000)		Level 2 Other significant observable inputs (000)		Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs (000)		Total (000)
Assets:
Fixed Income Securities
Corporate Bonds	$	—	$	44,285	$	—	$	44,285
Sovereign		—		803,274		—		803,274
Total Fixed Income Securities		—		847,559		—		847,559
Short-Term Investments
Sovereign		—		17,277		—		17,277
U.S. Treasury Securities		—		8,218		—		8,218
Total Short-Term Investments		—		25,495		—		25,495

Investment Type	Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices (000)		Level 2 Other significant observable inputs (000)			Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs (000)		Total (000)
Assets: (cont'd)
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts	$	—	$	4,010		$	—	$	4,010
Futures Contracts		377		—			—		377
Total Assets		377		877,064			—		877,441
Liabilities:
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts		—		(5,012	)		—		(5,012	)
Total	$	377	$	872,052		$	—	$	872,429

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 October 31, 2016, the Fund did not have any investments transfer between investment levels.

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

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

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

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not isolate that portion of the results

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

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

A significant portion of the Fund's net assets consist of securities of issuers located in emerging markets, which are denominated in foreign currencies. Such securities may be

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

5. Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been

leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

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

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

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also entered into contracts with banks, brokers or

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

equal to the difference between the value of the currency contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

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

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of October 31, 2016.

Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location

Primary Risk
Exposure

Value
(000)

Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts

Unrealized Appreciation
on Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts

Currency Risk

4,010

Futures Contracts

Variation Margin on
Futures Contracts

Interest
Rate Risk

377

(a)

Total

4,387

Liability Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location

Primary Risk
Exposure

Value
(000)

Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts

Unrealized Depreciation
on Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts

Currency Risk

(5,012

)

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 October 31, 2016 in accordance with ASC 815.

Realized Gain (Loss)
Primary Risk Exposure	Derivative Type	Value (000)
Currency Risk	Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts	$	146,616
Interest Rate Risk	Futures Contracts		(1,532	)
Total		$	145,084
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Primary Risk Exposure	Derivative Type	Value (000)
Currency Risk	Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts	$	3,091
Interest Rate Risk	Futures Contracts		377
Total		$	3,468

At October 31, 2016, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

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

Derivatives(b)				Assets(c) (000)				Liabilities(c) (000)
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts				$	4,010			$	(5,012	)

(b)Excludes exchange-traded derivatives.

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

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA

Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following tables present derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of October 31, 2016.

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Counterparty	Gross Asset Derivatives Presented in Statement of Assets and Liabilities (000)			Financial Instrument (000)			Collateral Received (000)		Net Amount (not less than $0) (000)
Citibank NA	$	461		$	(461	)	$	—	$	0
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA		3,549			(2,413	)		—		1,136
State Street Bank and Trust Co.		—	@		(—	@)		—		0
Total	$	4,010		$	(2,874	)	$	—	$	1,136

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Counterparty	Gross Liability Derivatives Presented in Statement of Assets and Liabilities (000)		Financial Instrument (000)			Collateral Pledged (000)(d)			Net Amount (not less than $0) (000)
Citibank NA	$	1,970	$	(461	)	$	(1,133	)	$	376
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA		2,413		(2,413	)		—			0
State Street Bank and Trust Co.		629		(—	@)		—			629
Total	$	5,012	$	(2,874	)	$	(1,133	)	$	1,005

(d)In some instances, the actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollaterization.

@Value is less than $500.

For the year ended October 31, 2016, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

Average monthly principal amount

680,451,000

Futures Contracts:

Average monthly original value

86,401,000

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

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

In December 2015, the Fund's Custodian announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which clients were invoiced for out-of-pocket expenses from 1998 until November 2015. The dollar amount difference between what was charged and what should have been charged, plus interest, was paid back to the Fund in September 2016 as a reimbursement. State Street reimbursed the Fund directly, which was recognized as a change in accounting estimate and was reflected as "Reimbursement of Custodian Fees" 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.

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. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax

return. Management has concluded that 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" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended October 31, 2016, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

2016 Distributions Paid From:		2015 Distributions Paid From:
Paid-in- Capital (000)		Paid-in- Capital (000)
$	51,099	$	62,394

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 GAAP. 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, the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses and the recognition of premium amortization.

Permanent differences, primarily due to differing treatments of gains (losses) related to foreign currency transactions, premium amortization adjustments for certain securities sold and a net

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at October 31, 2016:

Accumulated Net Investment Loss (000)				Accumulated Net Realized Loss (000)				Paid-in- Capital (000)
$	(66,283	)		$	178,533			$	(112,250	)

At October 31, 2016, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

At October 31, 2016, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short term and long term capital losses of approximately $8,256,000 and $40,152,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized during the carryover 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: For the year ended October 31, 2016, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments, were approximately $666,566,000 and $748,097,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended October 31, 2016.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. 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 October 31, 2016, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $13,000 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 October 31, 2016 is as follows:

Value October 31, 2015 (000)				Purchases at Cost (000)				Sales (000)				Dividend Income (000)				Value October 31, 2016 (000)
$	5,952			$	419,697			$	425,649			$	23			$	0

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley Funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended October 31, 2016, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

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

G. Credit Facility: The Fund will use the proceeds from the use of leverage to purchase additional securities consistent with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and strategies. The Fund has entered into an agreement with State Street as Administrative Agent and sole lender to provide a revolving line of credit facility ("facility") in the amount of $400,000,000. The loans under the facility will bear interest at the rate of LIBOR for the applicable interest period plus a spread. The facility also

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

has a commitment fee of 0.10% of the unused portion of the facility. The average borrowings and interest rate for the year ended October 31, 2016 were approximately $280,661,000 and 1.73%, respectively. During the same period, the Fund incurred approximately $4,948,000 in interest expense associated with the outstanding loans.

H. Other: As permitted by the Fund's offering prospectus, on January 10, 2008, the Fund commenced a share repurchase program for purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which the Fund's shares trade from their NAV. During the year ended October 31, 2016, the Fund repurchased 830,897 of its shares at an average discount of 16.39% from NAV. Since the inception of the program, the Fund has repurchased 6,191,936 of its shares at an average discount of 14.91% from NAV. The Directors regularly monitor the Fund's share repurchase program as part of their review and consideration of the Fund's premium/discount history. The Fund expects to continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such amounts as it believes will further the accomplishment of the foregoing objectives, subject to review by the Directors. You can access information about the monthly share repurchase results through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im.

At October 31, 2016, the Fund did not have record owners of 10% or greater.

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

Election of Directors by all stockholders:

	For		Against
Frank L. Bowman		49,193,651		7,529,777
Jakki L. Haussler		48,758,035		7,965,393
Manuel H. Johnson		49,216,559		7,506,869

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

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) 231-2608 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im. This information is also available on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), as of October 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations and cash flows 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 October 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. 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 Domestic Debt Fund, Inc. at October 31, 2016, the results of its operations and cash flows 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
December 28, 2016

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited)

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

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

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

Performance, Fees and Expenses of the Fund

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

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

Economies of Scale

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

Profitability of the Adviser and Affiliates

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

Other Benefits of the Relationship

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

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

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

Other Factors and Current Trends

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

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

General Conclusion

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Portfolio Management (unaudited)

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited)

Derivatives

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

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

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

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

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

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

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

Special Risks Related to Cyber Security

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

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

Foreign and Emerging Market Securities

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Investment Policy (unaudited) (cont'd)

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

Temporary Investments

The investment policies, limitations or practices of the Fund may not apply during periods of unusual or adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Such market, economic, political or other conditions may include periods of abnormal or heightened market volatility, strained credit and/or liquidity conditions or increased governmental intervention in the markets or industries. During such periods, the Fund may not invest according to its principal investment strategies or in the manner in which its name may suggest, and may be subject to different and/or heightened risks. It is possible that such unusual or adverse conditions may continue for extended periods of time. During such periods, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, reduce its holdings in debt obligations of issuers located in emerging markets countries that are denominated in the local currency and invest in certain liquid short-term (less than one year to maturity) and medium-term (not greater than five years to maturity) debt securities or hold cash. The short-term and medium-term debt securities in which the Fund may invest consist of (a) obligations of the U.S., emerging market or other foreign governments, their respective agencies or instrumentalities; (b) bank deposits and bank obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of U.S. or foreign banks denominated in any currency; (c) floating rate securities and other instruments denominated in any other currency issued by various governments or international development agencies; (d) finance company and corporate commercial paper and other short-term corporate debt obligations of United States, emerging market or other foreign corporations; and (e) repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers with respect to such securities. The Fund intends to invest for temporary defensive purposes only in short-term and medium-term debt securities that the Adviser believes to be of high quality, i.e., subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal (there is currently no rating system for debt securities in certain emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest).

Determination of NAV

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited)

Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), each stockholder will be deemed to have elected, unless Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Plan Agent) is otherwise instructed by the stockholder in writing, to have all distributions automatically reinvested in Fund shares.

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 Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, Texas 77842
1 (800) 231-2608

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited)

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

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

We Respect Your Privacy

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

1. What Personal Information Do We Collect About You?

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

For example:

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

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

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)

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

By following the opt-out instructions in Section 6 below, you may limit other Morgan Stanley branded companies from marketing their products or services to you based on personal information we disclose to them. This information may include, for example, your income and account history with us. Please note that, even if you choose to limit Other Morgan Stanley Companies from using personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products and services to you, Other Morgan Stanley Companies may use your personal information that they obtain from us to market to you in circumstances permitted by law, such as if the Other Morgan Stanley Company has its own relationship with you.

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

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

• Calling us at (800) 548-7786
Monday–Friday between 8a.m. and 6p.m.(EST)

• Writing to us at the following address:

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

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

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

7. What If An Affiliated Company Becomes a Non-affiliated Third Party?

If, at any time in the future, an affiliated company becomes a non-affiliated third party, further disclosures of personal information made to the former affiliated company will be limited to those described in Section 2(b) above relating to non-affiliated third parties.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)

If you elected under Section 6 to limit disclosures we make to affiliated companies, or use of personal information by affiliated companies, your election will not apply to use by any former affiliated company of your personal information in their possession once it becomes a non-affiliated third party.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF VERMONT

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

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

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

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

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

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA

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

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

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
and Other Relevant Professional Experience

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Independent
Director**

Other Directorships Held by
Independent Director***

Frank L. Bowman (71)
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

Director

Since August 2006

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 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 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

Director of BP p.l.c.; Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Director of the U.S. Naval Submarine League; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Chairman of the charity J Street Cup Golf; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; and Director of other various non-profit organizations.

Kathleen A. Dennis (63)
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

Director

Since August 2006

President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

Director of various non-profit organizations.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (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
and Other Relevant Professional Experience

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Independent
Director**

Other Directorships Held by
Independent Director***

Nancy C. Everett (61)
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

Director

Since January 2015

Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation; formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

Jakki L. Haussler (59)
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

Director

Since January 2015

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (since January 1996); formerly, Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000- December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005- July 2008).

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008) and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (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
and Other Relevant Professional Experience

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Independent
Director**

Other Directorships Held by
Independent Director***

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (67)
c/o Johnson Smick
International, Inc.
220 I Street, N.E. — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002

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 various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); 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.

100

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

Joseph J. Kearns (74)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC
23823 Malibu Road
S-50-440
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 various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

101

Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing). Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

Michael F. Klein (58)
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

Director

Since August 2006

Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Capital LLC (since August 2013); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (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
and Other Relevant Professional Experience

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Independent
Director**

Other Directorships Held by
Independent Director***

Michael E. Nugent (80)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

Chair of the Board and Director

Chair of the Boards since July 2006 and Director since July 1991

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Closed-End Fund Committee (since June 2012) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (until July 2006); General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership) (1988-2013).

100

None.

W. Allen Reed (69)
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

Director

Since August 2006

Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley 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 (August 1994-December 2005).

Director of Legg Mason, Inc.; formerly, Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

Fergus Reid (84)
c/o Joe Pietryka, Inc.
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564

Director

Since June 1992

Chairman, Joe Pietryka, Inc.; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1992).

100

Formerly, Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the JP Morgan Fund Complex managed by JP Morgan Investment Management Inc. (1987-2012).

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

** The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2015) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

October 31, 2016

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Age and Address of Executive Officer

Position(s)
Held with
Registrant

Length of
Time Served*

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

John H. Gernon (53)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

President and Principal Executive Officer

Since September 2013

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Product (since 2006).

Timothy J. Knierim (57)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

Chief Compliance Officer

Since December 2016

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (2014-2016); and formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (2007-2014).

Francis J. Smith (51)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

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 (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

Mary E. Mullin (49)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

Secretary

Since
June 1999

Executive Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

* This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

(a) The 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 Fund or a third party.

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

(d) Not applicable.

(e) Not applicable.

(f)

(1) The 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 Directors has determined that Joseph J. Kearns, an “independent” Director, 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 Directors 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:

2016

	Registrant			Covered Entities(1)
Audit Fees	$	78,470		N/A

Non-Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees	$	—	(2)	$	—	(2)
Tax Fees	$	4,500	(3)	$	9,000,199	(4)
All Other Fees	$	—		$	288,825	(5)
Total Non-Audit Fees	$	4,500		$	9,289,024

Total	$	82,970		$	9,289,024

2015

	Registrant			Covered Entities(1)
Audit Fees	$	78,470		N/A

Non-Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees	$	—	(2)	$	—	(2)
Tax Fees	$	4,500	(3)	$	7,968,463	(4)
All Other Fees	$	—		$	212,000	(5)
Total Non-Audit Fees	$	4,500		$	8,180,463

Total	$	82,970		$	8,180,463

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/Directors 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 J. Kearns, Jakki L. Haussler, Michael F. Klein and Allen W. Reed.

(b) Not applicable.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

(a) See Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

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

The Fund’s and its Investment Advisor’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are as follows:

September 2016

MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

I. POLICY STATEMENT

Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s (“MSIM”) policy and procedures for voting proxies (“Policy”) with respect to securities held in the accounts of clients applies to those MSIM entities that provide discretionary investment management services and for which an MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies. This Policy is reviewed and updated as necessary to address new and evolving proxy voting issues and standards.

The MSIM entities covered by this Policy currently include the following: Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Japan) Co., Limited and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited (each a “MSIM Affiliate” and collectively referred to as the “MSIM Affiliates” or as “we” below).

Each MSIM Affiliate will use its best efforts to vote proxies as part of its authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets. With respect to the registered management investment companies sponsored, managed or advised by any MSIM affiliate (the “MSIM Funds”), each MSIM Affiliate will vote proxies under this Policy pursuant to authority granted under its applicable investment advisory agreement or, in the absence of such authority, as authorized by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the MSIM Funds. A MSIM Affiliate will not vote proxies unless the investment management or investment advisory agreement explicitly authorizes the MSIM Affiliate to vote proxies.

MSIM Affiliates will vote proxies in a prudent and diligent manner and in the best interests of clients, including beneficiaries of and participants in a client’s benefit plan(s) for which the MSIM Affiliates manage assets, consistent with the objective of maximizing long-term investment returns (“Client Proxy Standard”). In addition to voting proxies at portfolio companies, MSIM routinely engages with the management or board of companies in which we invest on a range of governance issues. Governance is a window into or proxy for management and board quality. MSIM engages with companies where we have larger positions, voting issues are material or where we believe we can make a positive impact on the governance structure. MSIM’s engagement process, through private communication with companies, allows us to understand the governance structures at investee companies and better inform our voting decisions. In certain situations, a client or its fiduciary may provide an MSIM Affiliate with a proxy voting policy. In these situations, the MSIM Affiliate will comply with the client’s policy.

Retention and Oversight of Proxy Advisory Firms - ISS and Glass Lewis (together with other proxy research providers as we may retain from time to time, the “Research Providers”) are independent advisers that specialize in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other

institutional investors. The services provided include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations.

MSIM has retained Research Providers to analyze proxy issues and to make vote recommendations on those issues. While we may review and utilize the recommendations of one or more Research Providers in making proxy voting decisions, we are in no way obligated to follow such recommendations. MSIM votes all proxies based on its own proxy voting policies in the best interests of each client. In addition to research, ISS provides vote execution, reporting, and recordkeeping services to MSIM.

As part of MSIM’s ongoing oversight of the Research Providers, MSIM performs periodic due diligence on the Research Providers. Topics of the reviews include, but are not limited to, conflicts of interest, methodologies for developing their policies and vote recommendations, and resources.

Voting Proxies for Certain Non-U.S. Companies - Voting proxies of companies located in some jurisdictions may involve several problems that can restrict or prevent the ability to vote such proxies or entail significant costs. These problems include, but are not limited to: (i) proxy statements and ballots being written in a language other than English; (ii) untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings; (iii) restrictions on the ability of holders outside the issuer’s jurisdiction of organization to exercise votes; (iv) requirements to vote proxies in person; (v) the imposition of restrictions on the sale of the securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting; and (vi) requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate our voting instructions. As a result, we vote clients’ non-U.S. proxies on a best efforts basis only, after weighing the costs and benefits of voting such proxies, consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. ISS has been retained to provide assistance in connection with voting non-U.S. proxies.

Securities Lending - MSIM Funds or any other investment vehicle sponsored, managed or advised by a MSIM affiliate may participate in a securities lending program through a third party provider. The voting rights for shares that are out on loan are transferred to the borrower and therefore, the lender (i.e., a MSIM Fund or another investment vehicle sponsored, managed or advised by a MSIM affiliate) is not entitled to vote the lent shares at the company meeting. In general, MSIM believes the revenue received from the lending program outweighs the ability to vote and we will not recall shares for the purpose of voting. However, in cases in which MSIM believes the right to vote outweighs the revenue received, we reserve the right to recall the shares on loan on a best efforts basis.

II. GENERAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

To promote consistency in voting proxies on behalf of our clients, we follow this Policy (subject to any exception set forth herein). The Policy addresses a broad range of issues, and provides general voting parameters on proposals that arise most frequently. However, details of specific proposals vary, and those details affect particular voting decisions, as do factors specific to a given company. Pursuant to the procedures set forth herein, we may vote in a manner that is not

in accordance with the following general guidelines, provided the vote is approved by the Proxy Review Committee (see Section III for description) and is consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP will follow the procedures as described in Appendix A.

We endeavor to integrate governance and proxy voting policy with investment goals, using the vote to encourage portfolio companies to enhance long-term shareholder value and to provide a high standard of transparency such that equity markets can value corporate assets appropriately.

We seek to follow the Client Proxy Standard for each client. At times, this may result in split votes, for example when different clients have varying economic interests in the outcome of a particular voting matter (such as a case in which varied ownership interests in two companies involved in a merger result in different stakes in the outcome). We also may split votes at times based on differing views of portfolio managers.

We may abstain on matters for which disclosure is inadequate.

A. Routine Matters.

We generally support routine management proposals. The following are examples of routine management proposals:

· Approval of financial statements and auditor reports if delivered with an unqualified auditor’s opinion.

· General updating/corrective amendments to the charter, articles of association or bylaws, unless we believe that such amendments would diminish shareholder rights.

· Most proposals related to the conduct of the annual meeting, with the following exceptions. We generally oppose proposals that relate to “the transaction of such other business which may come before the meeting,” and open-ended requests for adjournment. However, where management specifically states the reason for requesting an adjournment and the requested adjournment would facilitate passage of a proposal that would otherwise be supported under this Policy (i.e., an uncontested corporate transaction), the adjournment request will be supported. We do not support proposals that allow companies to call a special meeting with a short (generally two weeks or less) time frame for review.

We generally support shareholder proposals advocating confidential voting procedures and independent tabulation of voting results.

B. Board of Directors.

1. Election of directors: Votes on board nominees can involve balancing a variety of considerations. In vote decisions, we may take into consideration whether the company has a majority voting policy in place that we believe makes the director vote more meaningful. In the absence of a proxy contest, we generally support the board’s nominees for director except as follows:

a. We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee if we believe a direct conflict exists between the interests of the nominee and the public shareholders, including failure to meet fiduciary standards of care and/or loyalty. We may oppose directors where we conclude that actions of directors are unlawful, unethical or negligent. We consider opposing individual board members or an entire slate if we believe the board is entrenched and/or dealing inadequately with performance problems; if we believe the board is acting with insufficient independence between the board and management; or if we believe the board has not been sufficiently forthcoming with information on key governance or other material matters.

b. We consider withholding support from or voting against interested directors if the company’s board does not meet market standards for director independence, or if otherwise we believe board independence is insufficient. We refer to prevalent market standards as promulgated by a stock exchange or other authority within a given market (e.g., New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq rules for most U.S. companies, and The Combined Code on Corporate Governance in the United Kingdom). Thus, for an NYSE company with no controlling shareholder, we would expect that at a minimum a majority of directors should be independent as defined by NYSE. Where we view market standards as inadequate, we may withhold votes based on stronger independence standards. Market standards notwithstanding, we generally do not view long board tenure alone as a basis to classify a director as non-independent.

i. At a company with a shareholder or group that controls the company by virtue of a majority economic interest in the company, we have a reduced expectation for board independence, although we believe the presence of independent directors can be helpful, particularly in staffing the audit committee, and at times we may withhold support from or vote against a nominee on the view the board or its committees are not sufficiently independent. In markets where board independence is not the norm (e.g. Japan), however, we consider factors including whether a board of a controlled company includes independent members who can be expected to look out for interests of minority holders.

ii. We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee if he or she is affiliated with a major shareholder that has representation on a board disproportionate to its economic interest.

c. Depending on market standards, we consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who is interested and who is standing for election as a member of the company’s compensation/remuneration, nominating/governance or audit committee.

d. We consider withholding support from or voting against nominees if the term for which they are nominated is excessive. We consider this issue on a market-specific basis.

e. We consider withholding support from or voting against nominees if in our view there has been insufficient board renewal (turnover), particularly in the context of extended poor company performance.

f. We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee standing for election if the board has not taken action to implement generally accepted governance practices for which there is a “bright line” test. For example, in the context of the U.S. market, failure to eliminate a dead hand or slow hand poison pill would be seen as a basis for opposing one or more incumbent nominees.

g. In markets that encourage designated audit committee financial experts, we consider voting against members of an audit committee if no members are designated as such. We also consider voting against the audit committee members if the company has faced financial reporting issues and/or does not put the auditor up for ratification by shareholders.

h. We believe investors should have the ability to vote on individual nominees, and may abstain or vote against a slate of nominees where we are not given the opportunity to vote on individual nominees.

i. We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who has failed to attend at least 75% of the nominee’s board and board committee meetings within a given year without a reasonable excuse. We also consider opposing nominees if the company does not meet market standards for disclosure on attendance.

j. We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who appears overcommitted, particularly through service on an excessive number of boards. Market expectations are incorporated into this analysis; for U.S. boards, we generally oppose election of a nominee who serves on more than six public company boards (excluding investment companies), although we also may reference National Association of Corporate Directors guidance suggesting that public company CEOs, for example, should serve on no more than two outside boards given level of time commitment required in their primary job.

k. We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee where we believe executive remuneration practices are poor, particularly if the company does not offer shareholders a separate “say-on-pay” advisory vote on pay.

2. Discharge of directors’ duties: In markets where an annual discharge of directors’ responsibility is a routine agenda item, we generally support such discharge. However, we may vote against discharge or abstain from voting where there are serious findings of

fraud or other unethical behavior for which the individual bears responsibility. The annual discharge of responsibility represents shareholder approval of disclosed actions taken by the board during the year and may make future shareholder action against the board difficult to pursue.

3. Board independence: We generally support U.S. shareholder proposals requiring that a certain percentage (up to 662/3%) of the company’s board members be independent directors, and promoting all-independent audit, compensation and nominating/governance committees.

4. Board diversity: We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals urging diversity of board membership with respect to gender, race or other factors.

5. Majority voting: We generally support proposals requesting or requiring majority voting policies in election of directors, so long as there is a carve-out for plurality voting in the case of contested elections.

6. Proxy access: We consider proposals on procedures for inclusion of shareholder nominees and to have hose nominees included in the company’s proxy statement and on the company’s proxy ballot on a case-by-case basis. Considerations include ownership thresholds, holding periods, the number of directors that shareholders may nominate and any restrictions on forming a group.

7. Reimbursement for dissident nominees: We generally support well-crafted U.S. shareholder proposals that would provide for reimbursement of dissident nominees elected to a board, as the cost to shareholders in electing such nominees can be factored into the voting decision on those nominees.

8. Proposals to elect directors more frequently: In the U.S. public company context, we usually support shareholder and management proposals to elect all directors annually (to “declassify” the board), although we make an exception to this policy where we believe that long-term shareholder value may be harmed by this change given particular circumstances at the company at the time of the vote on such proposal. As indicated above, outside the United States we generally support greater accountability to shareholders that comes through more frequent director elections, but recognize that many markets embrace longer term lengths, sometimes for valid reasons given other aspects of the legal context in electing boards.

9. Cumulative voting: We generally support proposals to eliminate cumulative voting in the U.S. market context. (Cumulative voting provides that shareholders may concentrate their votes for one or a handful of candidates, a system that can enable a minority bloc to place representation on a board.) U.S. proposals to establish cumulative voting in the election of directors generally will not be supported.

10. Separation of Chairman and CEO positions: We vote on shareholder proposals to separate the Chairman and CEO positions and/or to appoint an independent Chairman

based in part on prevailing practice in particular markets, since the context for such a practice varies. In many non-U.S. markets, we view separation of the roles as a market standard practice, and support division of the roles in that context. In the United States, we consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis, considering, among other things, the existing board leadership structure, company performance, and any evidence of entrenchment or perceived risk that power is overly concentrated in a single individual.

11. Director retirement age and term limits: Proposals setting or recommending director retirement ages or director term limits are voted on a case-by-case basis that includes consideration of company performance, the rate of board renewal, evidence of effective individual director evaluation processes, and any indications of entrenchment.

12. Proposals to limit directors’ liability and/or broaden indemnification of officers and directors: Generally, we will support such proposals provided that an individual is eligible only if he or she has not acted in bad faith, with gross negligence or with reckless disregard of their duties.

C. Statutory auditor boards. The statutory auditor board, which is separate from the main board of directors, plays a role in corporate governance in several markets. These boards are elected by shareholders to provide assurance on compliance with legal and accounting standards and the company’s articles of association. We generally vote for statutory auditor nominees if they meet independence standards. In markets that require disclosure on attendance by internal statutory auditors, however, we consider voting against nominees for these positions who failed to attend at least 75% of meetings in the previous year. We also consider opposing nominees if the company does not meet market standards for disclosure on attendance.

D. Corporate transactions and proxy fights. We examine proposals relating to mergers, acquisitions and other special corporate transactions (i.e., takeovers, spin-offs, sales of assets, reorganizations, restructurings and recapitalizations) on a case-by-case basis in the interests of each fund or other account. Proposals for mergers or other significant transactions that are friendly and approved by the Research Providers usually are supported if there is no portfolio manager objection. We also analyze proxy contests on a case-by-case basis.

E. Changes in capital structure.

1. We generally support the following:

· Management and shareholder proposals aimed at eliminating unequal voting rights, assuming fair economic treatment of classes of shares we hold.

· U.S. management proposals to increase the authorization of existing classes of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) if: (i) a clear business purpose is stated that we can support and the number of shares requested is reasonable in relation to the purpose for which authorization is requested; and/or (ii) the authorization does not exceed 100% of shares currently authorized

and at least 30% of the total new authorization will be outstanding. (We consider proposals that do not meet these criteria on a case-by-case basis.)

· U.S. management proposals to create a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50% of issued capital, unless we have concerns about use of the authority for anti-takeover purposes.

· Proposals in non-U.S. markets that in our view appropriately limit potential dilution of existing shareholders. A major consideration is whether existing shareholders would have preemptive rights for any issuance under a proposal for standing share issuance authority. We generally consider market-specific guidance in making these decisions; for example, in the U.K. market we usually follow Association of British Insurers’ (“ABI”) guidance, although company-specific factors may be considered and for example, may sometimes lead us to voting against share authorization proposals even if they meet ABI guidance.

· Management proposals to authorize share repurchase plans, except in some cases in which we believe there are insufficient protections against use of an authorization for anti-takeover purposes.

· Management proposals to reduce the number of authorized shares of common or preferred stock, or to eliminate classes of preferred stock.

· Management proposals to effect stock splits.

· Management proposals to effect reverse stock splits if management proportionately reduces the authorized share amount set forth in the corporate charter. Reverse stock splits that do not adjust proportionately to the authorized share amount generally will be approved if the resulting increase in authorized shares coincides with the proxy guidelines set forth above for common stock increases.

· Management dividend payout proposals, except where we perceive company payouts to shareholders as inadequate.

2. We generally oppose the following (notwithstanding management support):

· Proposals to add classes of stock that would substantially dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.

· Proposals to increase the authorized or issued number of shares of existing classes of stock that are unreasonably dilutive, particularly if there are no preemptive rights for existing shareholders. However, depending on market practices, we consider voting for proposals giving general authorization for issuance of shares not subject to pre-emptive rights if the authority is limited.

· Proposals that authorize share issuance at a discount to market rates, except where authority for such issuance is de minimis, or if there is a special situation that we believe justifies such authorization (as may be the case, for example, at a company under severe stress and risk of bankruptcy).

· Proposals relating to changes in capitalization by 100% or more.

We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to increase dividend payout ratios, in light of market practice and perceived market weaknesses, as well as individual company payout history and current circumstances. For example, currently we perceive low payouts to shareholders as a concern at some Japanese companies, but may deem a low payout ratio as appropriate for a growth company making good use of its cash, notwithstanding the broader market concern.

F. Takeover Defenses and Shareholder Rights.

1. Shareholder rights plans: We generally support proposals to require shareholder approval or ratification of shareholder rights plans (poison pills). In voting on rights plans or similar takeover defenses, we consider on a case-by-case basis whether the company has demonstrated a need for the defense in the context of promoting long-term share value; whether provisions of the defense are in line with generally accepted governance principles in the market (and specifically the presence of an adequate qualified offer provision that would exempt offers meeting certain conditions from the pill); and the specific context if the proposal is made in the midst of a takeover bid or contest for control.

2. Supermajority voting requirements: We generally oppose requirements for supermajority votes to amend the charter or bylaws, unless the provisions protect minority shareholders where there is a large shareholder. In line with this view, in the absence of a large shareholder we support reasonable shareholder proposals to limit such supermajority voting requirements.

3. Shareholders right to call a special meeting: We consider proposals to enhance a shareholder’s rights to call meetings on a case-by-case basis. At large-cap U.S. companies, we generally support efforts to establish the right of holders of 10% or more of shares to call special meetings, unless the board or state law has set a policy or law establishing such rights at a threshold that we believe to be acceptable.

4. Written consent rights: In the U.S. context, we examine proposals for shareholder written consent rights on a case-by-case basis.

5. Reincorporation: We consider management and shareholder proposals to reincorporate to a different jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. We oppose such proposals if we believe the main purpose is to take advantage of laws or judicial precedents that reduce shareholder rights.

6. Anti-greenmail provisions: Proposals relating to the adoption of anti-greenmail provisions will be supported, provided that the proposal: (i) defines greenmail; (ii) prohibits buyback offers to large block holders (holders of at least 1% of the outstanding shares and in certain cases, a greater amount) not made to all shareholders or not approved by disinterested shareholders; and (iii) contains no anti-takeover measures or other provisions restricting the rights of shareholders.

7. Bundled proposals: We may consider opposing or abstaining on proposals if disparate issues are “bundled” and presented for a single vote.

G. Auditors. We generally support management proposals for selection or ratification of independent auditors. However, we may consider opposing such proposals with reference to incumbent audit firms if the company has suffered from serious accounting irregularities and we believe rotation of the audit firm is appropriate, or if fees paid to the auditor for non-audit-related services are excessive. Generally, to determine if non-audit fees are excessive, a 50% test will be applied (i.e., non-audit-related fees should be less than 50% of the total fees paid to the auditor). We generally vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.

H. Executive and Director Remuneration.

1. We generally support the following:

· Proposals for employee equity compensation plans and other employee ownership plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest. Such approval may be against shareholder interest if it authorizes excessive dilution and shareholder cost, particularly in the context of high usage (“run rate”) of equity compensation in the recent past; or if there are objectionable plan design and provisions.

· Proposals relating to fees to outside directors, provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry, and provided that the structure is appropriate within the market context. While stock-based compensation to outside directors is positive if moderate and appropriately structured, we are wary of significant stock option awards or other performance-based awards for outside directors, as well as provisions that could result in significant forfeiture of value on a director’s decision to resign from a board (such forfeiture can undercut director independence).

· Proposals for employee stock purchase plans that permit discounts, but only for grants that are part of a broad-based employee plan, including all non-executive employees, and only if the discounts are limited to a reasonable market standard or less.

· Proposals for the establishment of employee retirement and severance plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest.

2. We generally oppose retirement plans and bonuses for non-executive directors and independent statutory auditors.

3. In the U.S. context, we generally vote against shareholder proposals requiring shareholder approval of all severance agreements, but we generally support proposals that require shareholder approval for agreements in excess of three times the annual compensation (salary and bonus) or proposals that require companies to adopt a provision requiring an executive to receive accelerated vesting of equity awards if there is a change of control and the executive is terminated. We generally oppose shareholder proposals that would establish arbitrary caps on pay. We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals that seek to limit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs), but support such shareholder proposals where we consider SERPs excessive.

4. Shareholder proposals advocating stronger and/or particular pay-for-performance models will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of the merits of the individual proposal within the context of the particular company and its labor markets, and the company’s current and past practices. While we generally support emphasis on long-term components of senior executive pay and strong linkage of pay to performance, we consider factors including whether a proposal may be overly prescriptive, and the impact of the proposal, if implemented as written, on recruitment and retention.

5. We generally support proposals advocating reasonable senior executive and director stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements for shares gained in executive equity compensation programs.

6. We generally support shareholder proposals for reasonable “claw-back” provisions that provide for company recovery of senior executive bonuses to the extent they were based on achieving financial benchmarks that were not actually met in light of subsequent restatements.

7. Management proposals effectively to re-price stock options are considered on a case-by-case basis. Considerations include the company’s reasons and justifications for a re-pricing, the company’s competitive position, whether senior executives and outside directors are excluded, potential cost to shareholders, whether the re-pricing or share exchange is on a value-for-value basis, and whether vesting requirements are extended.

8. Say-on-Pay: We consider proposals relating to an advisory vote on remuneration on a case-by-case basis. Considerations include a review of the relationship between executive remuneration and performance based on operating trends and total shareholder return over multiple performance periods. In addition, we review remuneration structures and potential poor pay practices, including relative magnitude of pay, discretionary bonus awards, tax gross ups, change-in-control features, internal

pay equity and peer group construction. As long-term investors, we support remuneration policies that align with long-term shareholder returns.

I. Social, Political and Environmental Issues. Shareholders in the United States and certain other markets submit proposals encouraging changes in company disclosure and practices related to particular corporate social, political and environmental matters. We consider how to vote on the proposals on a case-by-case basis to determine likely impacts on shareholder value. We seek to balance concerns on reputational and other risks that lie behind a proposal against costs of implementation, while considering appropriate shareholder and management prerogatives. We may abstain from voting on proposals that do not have a readily determinable financial impact on shareholder value. We support proposals that if implemented would enhance useful disclosure, but we generally vote against proposals requesting reports that we believe are duplicative, related to matters not material to the business, or that would impose unnecessary or excessive costs. We believe that certain social and environmental shareholder proposals may intrude excessively on management prerogatives, which can lead us to oppose them.

J. Funds of Funds. Certain MSIM Funds advised by an MSIM Affiliate invest only in other MSIM Funds. If an underlying fund has a shareholder meeting, in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest, such proposals will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders of the underlying fund, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee. Other MSIM Funds invest in unaffiliated funds. If an unaffiliated underlying fund has a shareholder meeting and the MSIM Fund owns more than 25% of the voting shares of the underlying fund, the MSIM Fund will vote its shares in the unaffiliated underlying fund in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders of the underlying fund to the extent possible.

III. ADMINISTRATION OF POLICY

The MSIM Proxy Review Committee (the “Committee”) has overall responsibility for the Policy. The Committee consists of investment professionals who represent the different investment disciplines and geographic locations of the firm, and is chaired by the director of the Corporate Governance Team (“CGT”). Because proxy voting is an investment responsibility and impacts shareholder value, and because of their knowledge of companies and markets, portfolio managers and other members of investment staff play a key role in proxy voting, although the Committee has final authority over proxy votes.

The CGT Director is responsible for identifying issues that require Committee deliberation or ratification. The CGT, working with advice of investment teams and the Committee, is responsible for voting on routine items and on matters that can be addressed in line with these Policy guidelines. The CGT has responsibility for voting case-by-case where guidelines and precedent provide adequate guidance.

The Committee will periodically review and have the authority to amend, as necessary, the Policy and establish and direct voting positions consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.

CGT and members of the Committee may take into account Research Providers’ recommendations and research as well as any other relevant information they may request or receive, including portfolio manager and/or analyst comments and research, as applicable. Generally, proxies related to securities held in accounts that are managed pursuant to quantitative, index or index-like strategies (“Index Strategies”) will be voted in the same manner as those held in actively managed accounts, unless economic interests of the accounts differ. Because accounts managed using Index Strategies are passively managed accounts, research from portfolio managers and/or analysts related to securities held in these accounts may not be available. If the affected securities are held only in accounts that are managed pursuant to Index Strategies, and the proxy relates to a matter that is not described in this Policy, the CGT will consider all available information from the Research Providers, and to the extent that the holdings are significant, from the portfolio managers and/or analysts.

A. Committee Procedures

The Committee meets at least quarterly, and reviews and considers changes to the Policy at least annually. Through meetings and/or written communications, the Committee is responsible for monitoring and ratifying “split votes” (i.e., allowing certain shares of the same issuer that are the subject of the same proxy solicitation and held by one or more MSIM portfolios to be voted differently than other shares) and/or “override voting” (i.e., voting all MSIM portfolio shares in a manner contrary to the Policy). The Committee will review developing issues and approve upcoming votes, as appropriate, for matters as requested by CGT.

The Committee reserves the right to review voting decisions at any time and to make voting decisions as necessary to ensure the independence and integrity of the votes.

B. Material Conflicts of Interest

In addition to the procedures discussed above, if the CGT Director determines that an issue raises a material conflict of interest, the CGT Director may request a special committee to review, and recommend a course of action with respect to, the conflict(s) in question (“Special Committee”).

A potential material conflict of interest could exist in the following situations, among others:

1. The issuer soliciting the vote is a client of MSIM or an affiliate of MSIM and the vote is on a matter that materially affects the issuer.

2. The proxy relates to Morgan Stanley common stock or any other security issued by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates except if echo voting is used, as with MSIM Funds, as described herein.

3. Morgan Stanley has a material pecuniary interest in the matter submitted for a vote (e.g., acting as a financial advisor to a party to a merger or acquisition for which Morgan Stanley will be paid a success fee if completed).

If the CGT Director determines that an issue raises a potential material conflict of interest, depending on the facts and circumstances, the issue will be addressed as follows:

1. If the matter relates to a topic that is discussed in this Policy, the proposal will be voted as per the Policy.

2. If the matter is not discussed in this Policy or the Policy indicates that the issue is to be decided case-by-case, the proposal will be voted in a manner consistent with the Research Providers, provided that all the Research Providers consulted have the same recommendation, no portfolio manager objects to that vote, and the vote is consistent with MSIM’s Client Proxy Standard.

3. If the Research Providers’ recommendations differ, the CGT Director will refer the matter to a Special Committee to vote on the proposal, as appropriate.

Any Special Committee shall be comprised of the CGT Director, and at least two portfolio managers (preferably members of the Committee), as approved by the Committee. The CGT Director may request non-voting participation by MSIM’s General Counsel or his/her designee and the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee. In addition to the research provided by Research Providers, the Special Committee may request analysis from MSIM Affiliate investment professionals and outside sources to the extent it deems appropriate.

C. Proxy Voting Reporting

The CGT will document in writing all Committee and Special Committee decisions and actions, which documentation will be maintained by the CGT for a period of at least six years. To the extent these decisions relate to a security held by an MSIM Fund, the CGT will report the decisions to each applicable Board of Trustees/Directors of those Funds at each Board’s next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The report will contain information concerning decisions made during the most recently ended calendar quarter immediately preceding the Board meeting.

MSIM will promptly provide a copy of this Policy to any client requesting it. MSIM will also, upon client request, promptly provide a report indicating how each proxy was voted with respect to securities held in that client’s account.

MSIM’s Legal Department is responsible for filing an annual Form N-PX on behalf of each MSIM Fund for which such filing is required, indicating how all proxies were voted with respect to such Fund’s holdings.

APPENDIX A

Appendix A applies to the following accounts managed by Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP: (i) closed-end funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; (ii) discretionary separate accounts; (iii) unregistered funds; and (iv) non-discretionary accounts offered in connection with AIP’s Customized Advisory Portfolio Solutions service. Generally, AIP will follow the guidelines set forth in Section II of MSIM’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. To the extent that such guidelines do not provide specific direction, or AIP determines that consistent with the Client Proxy Standard, the guidelines should not be followed, the Proxy Review Committee has delegated the voting authority to vote securities held by accounts managed by AIP to the Fund of Hedge Funds investment team, the Private Equity Fund of Funds investment team the Private Equity Real Estate Fund of Funds investment team or the Portfolio Solutions team of AIP. A summary of decisions made by the applicable investment teams will be made available to the Proxy Review Committee for its information at the next scheduled meeting of the Proxy Review Committee.

In certain cases, AIP may determine to abstain from determining (or recommending) how a proxy should be voted (and therefore abstain from voting such proxy or recommending how such proxy should be voted), such as where the expected cost of giving due consideration to the proxy does not justify the potential benefits to the affected account(s) that might result from adopting or rejecting (as the case may be) the measure in question.

Waiver of Voting Rights

For regulatory reasons, AIP may either 1) invest in a class of securities of an underlying fund (the “Fund”) that does not provide for voting rights; or 2) waive 100% of its voting rights with respect to the following:

1. Any rights with respect to the removal or replacement of a director, general partner, managing member or other person acting in a similar capacity for or on behalf of the Fund (each individually a “Designated Person,” and collectively, the “Designated Persons”), which may include, but are not limited to, voting on the election or removal of a Designated Person in the event of such Designated Person’s death, disability, insolvency, bankruptcy, incapacity, or other event requiring a vote of interest holders of the Fund to remove or replace a Designated Person; and

2. Any rights in connection with a determination to renew, dissolve, liquidate, or otherwise terminate or continue the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, voting on the renewal, dissolution, liquidation, termination or continuance of the Fund upon the occurrence of an event described in the Fund’s organizational documents; provided, however, that, if the Fund’s organizational documents require the consent of the Fund’s general partner or manager, as the case may be, for any such termination or continuation of the Fund to be effective, then AIP may exercise its voting rights with respect to such matter.

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

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

FUND MANAGEMENT

As of the date of this report, 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, Managing Director of the Adviser, Jens Nystedt, Managing Director of the Adviser, Warren Mar, Managing Director of the Adviser and Sahil Tandon, Executive Director of the Adviser.

Mr. Baurmeister has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since October 1997 and began managing the Fund at its inception. Mr. Nystedt has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since November 2014 and began managing the Fund in December 2014. Mr. Mar has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 2012 and began managing the Fund in December 2014. Mr. Tandon has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 2004 and began managing the Fund in October 2015. Mr. Baurmeister, Mr. Nystedt, Mr. Mar and Mr. Tandon are co-portfolio managers. Certain other members of the team collaborate to manage the assets of the Fund, but are not primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

The composition of the team may change from time to time.

OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

As of October 31, 2016:

Mr. Baurmeister managed three other registered investment companies with a total of approximately $495.1 million in assets; eleven pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies with a total of approximately $1.8 billion in assets; and eight other accounts with a total of approximately $2.2 billion in assets. Of these other accounts, two accounts with a total of approximately $850.2 million in assets had performance-based fees.

Mr. Nystedt managed three other registered investment companies with a total of approximately $495.1 million in assets; eleven pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies with a total of approximately $1.8 billion in assets; and eight other accounts with a total of approximately $2.2 billion in assets. Of these other accounts, two accounts with a total of approximately $850.2 million in assets had performance-based fees.

Mr. Mar managed three other registered investment companies with a total of approximately $495.1 million in assets; twelve pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies with a total of approximately $1.8 billion in assets; and eight other accounts with a

total of approximately $2.2 billion in assets. Of these other accounts, two accounts with a total of approximately $850.2 million in assets had performance-based fees.

Mr. Tandon managed three other registered investment companies with a total of approximately $495.1 million in assets; eleven pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies with a total of approximately $1.8 billion in assets; and eight other accounts with a total of approximately $2.2 billion in assets. Of these other accounts, two accounts with a total of approximately $850.2 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 managers 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 engaging 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

Morgan Stanley’s compensation structure is based on a total reward system of base salary and incentive compensation, which is paid either in the form of cash bonus, or for employees meeting the specified deferred compensation eligibility threshold, partially as a cash bonus and partially as mandatory deferred compensation. Deferred compensation may be granted as a deferred cash award under the Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP), as an equity-based award or as a deferred incentive compensation award under another Firm compensation plan. The portion of incentive compensation granted in the form of a deferred compensation award and the terms of such awards are determined annually by the Compensation, Management Development and Committee of the Morgan Stanley Board of Directors.

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

Incentive compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary year-end compensation.

Incentive compensation may include:

· Cash Bonus.

· Deferred Compensation:

· A mandatory program that defers a portion of incentive compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock or other plans that are subject to vesting and other conditions.

· IMAP is a cash-based deferred compensation plan designed to increase the alignment of participants’ interests with the interests of the Advisor’s clients. For eligible employees, a portion of their deferred compensation is mandatorily deferred into IMAP on an annual basis. Deferred incentive awards granted under IMAP are notionally invested in referenced funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. Portfolio managers must notionally invest at least 25% of their IMAP award in a combination of the designated funds managed by the PM that are included in the IMAP notional investment menu.

· Deferred compensation awards are typically subject to vesting over a multi-year period and are cancellable in the event the employee terminates employment prior to the vesting date (other than for reasons of death, disability, retirement and involuntary termination not involving a cancellation event). Prior to distribution, deferred compensation awards are also subject to cancellation and clawback in the event the employee engages in certain proscribed behavior, including, without limitation, if the employee engages in “cause” (i.e., any act or omission that constitutes a breach of obligation to the Firm, including failure to comply with internal compliance, ethics or risk management standards and failure or refusal to perform duties satisfactorily, including supervisory and management duties) and if the employee takes any action, or fails to take any action (including with respect to direct supervisory responsibilities) where such action or omissions: causes a restatement of the Firm’s consolidated financial results; constitutes a violation of the Firm’s Global Risk Management Principles, Policies and Standards; or causes a loss of revenue associated with a position on which the employee was paid and the employee operated outside of internal control policies.

Eligibility for, and the amount of any, incentive compensation is subject to a multi-dimensional process. Specifically, consideration is given to one or more of the following factors, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances:

· Revenue and profitability of the business and/or each fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager

· Revenue and profitability of the Firm

· Return on equity and risk factors of both the business units and Morgan Stanley

· Assets managed by the portfolio manager

· External market conditions

· New business development and business sustainability

· Contribution to client objectives

· Team, product and/or Investment Management performance \

· Individual contribution and performance

The Firm has a Global Incentive Compensation Discretion Policy, approved by the CMDS. This policy sets forth standards for the appropriate exercise of managerial discretion in determining the level of incentive compensation to be awarded to an employee. This policy specifically provides that all managers must consider whether an employee managed risk appropriately and effectively managed and supervised the risk control practices of his or her employee reports during the performance year. For the Firm’s material risk takers, managers are required to document their decision making process for discretionary compensation. Managers are trained on these requirements annually and are required to certify compliance with the applicable requirements. The Policy is reviewed at least annually, and updated as needed.

SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

As of October 31, 2016, 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
November 2015	413,130			N/A	N/A
December 2015	—			N/A	N/A
January 2016	56,100			N/A	N/A
February 2016	93,414			N/A	N/A
March 2016	268,253			N/A	N/A
April 2016	—			N/A	N/A
May 2016	—			N/A	N/A
June 2016	—			N/A	N/A
July 2016	—			N/A	N/A
August 2016	—			N/A	N/A
September 2016	—			N/A	N/A
October 2016	—			N/A	N/A
Total	830,897	$	7.24	N/A	N/A

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

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

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

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

Item 12. Exhibits

(a) 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 Domestic Debt Fund, Inc.

/s/ John H. Gernon
John H. Gernon
Principal Executive Officer
December 15, 2016

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

/s/ John H. Gernon
John H. Gernon
Principal Executive Officer
December 15, 2016

/s/ Francis Smith
Francis Smith
Principal Financial Officer
December 15, 2016