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| Bharti renews acquisition talks with MTN |
| Press Trust Of Iindia / Mumbai May 25, 2009, 10:08 IST |
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 Bharti Airtel today renewed talks for acquiring stake in South African telecom company MTN.
The Indian telecom major is exploring a potential transaction whereby it would acquire 49% in MTN and in turn MTN and its shareholders would acquire approximately 36% economic interest in Bharti.
Bharti and MTN have agreed to discuss the potential transaction exclusively with each other by July 31.
"We see real power in the combination and we will work hard to unleash it for all our shareholders. This opportunity also represents a first of its kind in developing an Indian-African initiative that would serve as a shining example of South-South cooperation," Mittal said.
The broader strategic objective would be to achieve a full merger of MTN and Bharti as soon as it is practicable to create a leading emerging market telecom operator which today would have combined revenues of over 20 billion dollars and a combined customer base of over 200 million.
The discussions contemplate that the potential transaction, which would be achieved through a scheme of arrangement, would include -- MTN acquiring approximately a 25% post-transaction economic interest in Bharti for an effective consideration of about 2.9 billion dollars in cash and newly-issued shares of MTN close to 25% of the currently issued share capital of the South African firm.
Bharti would acquire about 36% of the currently issued share capital of MTN from MTN shareholders for a consideration comprising ZAR 86.00 in cash and 0.5 newly issued Bharti shares in the form of Global Depository Receipts for every MTN share acquired which, in combination with MTN shares issued in part settlement of MTN's acquisition of nearly 25% post-transaction interest in Bharti.
Bharti would have substantial participatory and governance rights in MTN enabling it to fully consolidate the accounts of MTN.
Post-transaction, Bharti would have a 49% stake of the enlarged capital of MTN. Each GDR would be equivalent to one share in Bharti and would be listed on the securities exchange operated by JSE Limited, South Africa.
"Singapore Telecommunications, a major existing shareholder of Bharti, will continue to be a strategic partner and significant shareholder after the implementation of the potential transaction," the Bharti statement said.
MTN's economic interest in Bharti would be equity accounted and would have appropriate representation on the Bharti Board, it added.
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