23rd Sep 2013 11:02
23 September 2013
China Private Equity Investment Holdings Limited
("CPE" or the "Company")
Further Investment in Asia Bioenergy Technologies Berhad
China Private Equity Investment Holdings Limited announces that it has agreed to acquire a further 50 million shares in Asia Bioenergy Technologies Berhad ("ABT") ("ABT shares") together with warrants for an additional 50 million ABT shares pursuant to a one-for-one rights issue with warrants proposed by ABT (the "Rights Issue"). CPE announced on 8 May 2013 it had invested MYR3.5 million (approximately US$1.1 million) in the purchase of 50 million ABT shares, and as a result has a current 11.9% holding in ABT.
ABT's current issued share capital is 420,200,000 shares and it has proposed the Rights Issue on the basis of one new ABT share at an issue price of MYR0.10 each and one warrant for one ABT share (with an exercise price of MYR0.10) for every one existing ABT share held. The minimum level for the Rights Issue will be the issue of 50,000,000 new ABT shares (and related warrants).
It is expected that the Rights Issue will close on 22 November 2013. If all ABT shareholders take up their entitlements under the Rights Issue, CPE's holding in ABT will remain at 11.9% of the enlarged issued share capital. If, however, CPE is the only ABT shareholder to take up its entitlement under the Rights Issue, its shareholding in ABT will increase to 21.27% of the enlarged issued share capital (excluding any exercise of the warrants).
ABT is an investment holding company engaged in technology incubation which invests in information technology as well as biotechnology opportunities. ABT's shares are traded on the main market of Bursa Malaysia, (Stock Code: 0150) and, as at 20 September 2013, ABT shares were trading at MYR0.12 each, resulting in a current market capitalisation of MYR50.4 million (approximately US$15.58 million) and for the financial year to 31 January 2013 it made a net loss of MYR4.4 million (approximately US$1.36 million). Further details on ABT can be found on the company website: www.asiabio.com.my.
ABT is undertaking the rights issue to raise funds both to strengthen its investment capabilities and profile as a key technology incubator in South East Asia. If there is full subscription to the rights issue with warrants, ABT will have a total of RM62 million (approximately US$19.2 million) available for further investments, allowing it to consider high-quality opportunities of a bigger scale and offering greater returns. ABT's investment focus will continue to be on high technology areas and/or green technology.
CPE Chairman John Croft said: "For CPE, this rights issue provides an excellent opportunity to consolidate and possibly increase our holding in ABT at a pleasingly significant discount to the current share price, which itself already represents a healthy return on CPE's initial entry price of MYR0.07 five months ago. We believe ABT is holding an impressive incubation portfolio, and CPE's continuing presence as one of the key investors will also raise the profile of the Company in the technology incubation industry in Malaysia, a market of growing global significance".
The further investment in ABT will be funded from the proceeds of the disposal of CPE's interest in AIP Global Holdings Limited, announced on 18 September 2013.
For further information on CPE, please visit www.cpe-invest.com or contact:
Maria Leung China Private Equity Investment Holdings Ltd: |
+852 2801 6770
|
Azhic Basirov / Siobhan Sergeant, Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Ltd: |
+44 (0) 20 7131 4000
|
Allan Piper First City Public Relations (Hong Kong): |
+852 2854 2666
|
Simon Hudson Tavistock Communications (London): |
+44 (0) 20 7920 3170
|
www.cpe-invest.com | Ticker symbol: London - CPEH Frankfurt - AA1JBE5 |
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