RCom plans $ 1.5 Billion IPO of Reliance Globalcom


Bangalore: Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications is looking at raising up to $ 1.5 billion (over Rs 7,560 crore) through listing of its undersea cable unit, Reliance Globalcom, in Singapore. According to sources, the Anil Ambani-controlled company is planning an initial public offering (IPO) of Reliance Globalcom in Singapore and may sell 75 per cent stake in the company through the proposed open offer. They further said that the company expects to raise $ 1.5 billion through IPO, if it happens. Deutsche Bank is working on the deal, they added. When contacted, a company spokesman said, "Reliance Communications (RCom) continually works on various options to unlock value from its unique combination of global telecom assets, for the benefit of its shareholders." RCom has been exploring various routes of raising funds, including selling stake in its telecom tower arm, Reliance Infratel. Last year, a deal to sell stake to tower major GTL Infrastructure for $ 11 billion ( 50,000 crore) fell apart. As of quarter ended September 2011, the company has a debt amounting to nearly Rs 32,000 crore. Yesterday, RCom had announced that three leading Chinese banks have agreed to refinance its outstanding foreign loans worth Rs 6,125 crore. This is the biggest ever overseas loan refinancing arrangement by any Indian company. The refinancing for RCom's outstanding FCCBs (Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds) worth $ 1,182 million (Rs 6,125 crore) would be provided by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Development Bank (CDB) and Export Import Bank of China (EXIM), among others. Reliance Communications is the flagship company of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group. The group has a networth in excess of Rs 89,000 crore ($ 19.7 billion), cash flows of Rs 10,900 crore ($ 2.8 billion), net profit of Rs 3,600 crore ($ 0.8 billion).
Source: PTI