Asset Sale and DLI Operations Update

RNS Number : 5679U

Infrastructure India plc

08 April 2016

 

8 April 2016

Infrastructure India plc

("IIP" or the "Company" or, together with its subsidiaries, the "IIP Group")

Asset Sale and DLI Operations Update

Infrastructure India plc, an AIM quoted infrastructure fund investing directly into assets in India, is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed for the sale of its interest in Western MP Infrastructure & Toll Roads Private Limited ("WMP") and to provide an update on its largest portfolio asset, Distribution Logistics Infrastructure Limited ("DLI").

Asset sale

WMP operates a 125 kilometre toll road in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh with a 25-year concession, which commenced in April 2008. IIP invested in WMP in 2008 through its wholly owned subsidiary Roads Infrastructure India ("RII"), which holds a 26 per cent interest in the asset. IIP's total investment in WMP amounts to £12.5 million. The remaining 74 per cent interest in WMP is owned by Essel Infra Projects Limited ("Essel Infra").

On 7 April 2016, RII entered into a binding agreement whereby RII agreed the sale, subject to regulatory and other approvals, of its entire 26 per cent interest in WMP to an affiliate of Essel Infra for an agreed cash consideration of INR 2,030 million (approximately £21.6 million at the exchange rate of GBP:INR 93.8 on 7 April 2016). The sale price represents a discount of approximately 13 per cent to the £25.0 million value ascribed to IIP's interest in WMP in its unaudited interim results for the period ended 30 September 2015. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of Q2 2016 and the net proceeds from the disposal will provide the Group with additional working capital resources.

The Board is pleased with the terms of the sale of IIP's minority interest in WMP, which have been achieved amidst difficult market conditions in the Indian road sector.

Asset update

DLI is 99.9 per cent owned by IIP and is one of the largest private supply chain transportation and container infrastructure companies in India, with a large operational road and rail fleet. DLI continues to make progress with implementation of its business plan.

Following revisions to government procedures for customs notifications, DLI is pleased to report that it has now received regulatory approval from the Customs Commissioner for its Nagpur terminal to commence export-import ("Exim") operations. This enables DLI to commence and ramp-up operations through its own customs bonded area at Nagpur, and crucially, the ability to operate the integrated logistics park ("ILP") to its full potential.

At Palwal, key infrastructure relating to Exim and domestic operations is now complete. At Bangalore, infrastructure for both Exim and domestic operations is complete and DLI has received in principle agreement from the Indian Railways for the rail siding at its ILP, which is already under construction.

In November 2015, torrential rainfall and local flooding in Chennai disrupted construction at DLI's terminal. The floodwaters took several months to recede and DLI management believe it prudent to revise the layout of the site. The reconfiguration of the container freight station ("CFS") and Free Trade Warehousing Zone ("FTWZ") is expected to lead to commissioning of the facility late this calendar year.

While market conditions in the industry continue to be soft, with tight margins in domestic rail transportation and no rebound in Exim volumes, the Board continues to be optimistic in DLI's long term potential and the strength of its business plan.

The Board looks forward to providing shareholders with further asset updates, as appropriate, in due course.

- Ends -

Enquiries:

Infrastructure India plc        Sonny Lulla	www.iiplc.com Via Cubitt Consulting
Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker Azhic Basirov / Ben Jeynes	[phone]
Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP Joint Broker Gillian Martin - Corporate Finance James Waterlow - Investment Fund Sales	[phone]
Cubitt Consulting Limited Financial Public Relations Simon Brocklebank-Fowler	[phone]

 

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