FIPB may take up Telenor proposal on Friday

The government may consider a proposal for allowing Norwegian telecom firm Telenor's planned stake hike in its Indian telecom joint venture Unitech Wireless up to 74 per cent in its meeting scheduled for Friday.

The issue of Unitech is scheduled to come up for discussion in the FIPB meeting on June 19, sources close to the development said.

Earlier, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which clears all major foreign investment proposals in India had deferred the decision on allowing the investment into the company.

Unitech had sought permission to enhance foreign shareholding by Telenor Asia such that it may have direct and indirect foreign shareholding of up to 74 per cent.

Telenor already has completed acquisition of 49 per cent stake in Unitech and to complete its deal for 67 per cent the company requires FIPB approval.

A clearance from the FIPB is mandatory for Unitech for Telenor's investment in the company to go through.

In its earlier meeting, the Home Ministry has sought more time to study the proposal.

Though, the Department of Telecom has given their no-objection provided the credentials of the investors are verified by the MHA, including concern from their operations in Pakistan and Bangladesh.