Vivendi S.A. (VIVHY) has received interest in its 53% stake in
Maroc Telecom (IAM.CL) from four companies, the Reuters news agency
said Wednesday on its website, citing two people familiar with the
matter.
Qatar Telecom Q.S.C. (QTEL.DO), Etisalat and Saudi Telecom Co.
(7010.SA), as well as South Africa's MTN Group Ltd. (MTNOY) have
spoken to Vivendi's bankers regarding the deal, which Vivendi hopes
will garner at least 5.5 billion euros ($7.13 billion), the people
said in the report.
Qatar Telecom is deemed the best-placed potential bidder because
they have the funds to back the acquisition and internal agreement
on the strategic rationale, one of the sources was quoted as saying
in the report.
Qatar Telecom, declined to comment and Saudi Telecom wasn't
immediately available for comment, the report said. When asked if
Etisalat was considering a bid, Etisalat Chief Executive Ahmad
Julfar told Reuters "we are not part of that yet." MTN declined to
comment specifically on its interest in Maroc Telecom, with
spokesman Rich Mkhondo saying in the report: "MTN is always looking
for value-enhancing opportunities but we never comment on
speculation about those opportunities until the right time."
Full Story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/vivendi-maroctel-idUSL5E8LOFAY20121024
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
