Regulator yet to endorse Bluesky sale

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 22 September 2016, 12:00AM

The sale of Bluesky to a Fiji-government owned company, Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (A.T.H), is not yet official. 

And until the Office of the Regulator is officially informed about an agreement, it will not be endorsed.

This is according to the Regulator, Unutoa Auelua – Fonoti, when her opinion was sought on the sale plan. 

Bluesky’s parent company Amper SA had recently announced it had accepted a binding offer to sell its South Pacific business, which includes the Bluesky Pacific Group, for US$79million (T$181m) to A.T.H.

 “At the moment I haven’t been given any official communication from them about the purchase,” said Unutoa. 

“Under the law, any purchase needs to be approved by us. There are procedures that needs to be fulfilled before that can be done.”

The Regulator confirmed she has met with A.T.H but it was only to inform their Office about the initial negotiations.

 “They have confirmed to me that they have been talking,” she explained. 

The Samoa Observer understands that Amper and A.T.H. are engaged in discussions on the terms of the transaction with a view of signing a formal agreement by the end of the month.

The Samoa Observer also understands that officials from A.T.H are in the country for further negotiations.

They could not be contacted for a comment yesterday.

In a press release issued earlier this month, Chief Executive Officer of Bluesky Pacific Group, Aoe’e Adolfo Montenegro said; “We have fully briefed the governments, our other local investors and Bluesky team about the transaction. 

 “It is my and the management team’s priority to ensure that we continue to look after the interests of all our shareholders, staff, and customers throughout this process.

“Our teams remain focused on continuing to serve and add value to our customers and our local communities.”

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 22 September 2016, 12:00AM
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