Highlight Axiata Indonesian unit selling telecommunication towers for RM1.5b

by **Cals** Thu 02 Oct 2014, 02:25

Highlight Axiata Indonesian unit selling telecommunication towers for RM1.5b

Business & Markets 2014

Written by Chong Jin Hun of theedgemalaysia.com

Wednesday, 01 October 2014 12:39

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Axiata Group Bhd's 66.48%-owned Indonesian subsidiary PT XL Axiata is selling its 3,500 telecommunication towers there to PT Solusi Tunas Pratama for Rp5.6 trillion (US$460 million / RM1.5 billion).

In a statement to the Indonesia bourse today, XL Axiata Chief Executive Officer Hasnul Suhaimi said the firm had signed an asset purchase agreement with Solusi, under the all-cash deal.

Hasnul said the deal would enable XL Axiata to unlock the value of its telecommunication towers at an attractive price. The sale proceeds will be used to reduce XL Axiata's debt, according to him.

Hasnul said the exercise was a "positive step" for XL Axiata, as it pursued an asset light strategy. Under the deal, he said XL Axiata would lease back the telecommunication towers from Solusi for 10 years.

According to him, the leaseback came with competitive terms, which would result in cost savings for XL Axiata.

The proposed telecommunication asset disposal is due for completion by end of this year.

Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte Ltd is advising XL Axiata on the deal, while Standard Chartered Bank and J.P.Morgan (S.E.A) Ltd is acting on behalf of STP.

Axiata Group shares rose two sen or 0.3% to settle at RM7.02 at 12.30pm, for a market capitalisation of RM60.2 billion.

The FBM KLCI added 0.27 point or 0.01% to settle at 1,846.58.