KARACHI (June 17 2007): Pakistan’s Premier Investment Group, BMA Capital, has been appointed Financial Advisor to the Privatisation Commission, Government of Pakistan, for the strategic sale of shares of SME Bank Limited. Following the successful US$811 million GDR issue and second domestic offering of OGDCL, the privatisation of SME Bank is another landmark transaction that BMA Capital has been awarded, and highlights BMA Capital’s expertise and credentials as the leading advisor on privatisation in the country. To date, BMA Capital has advised on over 50% of all privatisation transactions, either on the buy or sell side, amounting in value to over US$4 billion.
BMA’s appointment to the SME Bank privatisation is another significant feather in BMA’s cap of landmark transactions which BMA Capital has advised or Lead Managed in the past, including the strategic sale of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) to Etisalat in 2006, the PTCL GDR offering of US$898 million in 1998, which was the largest capital market transaction in Pakistan’s history, and the strategic sale of shares of Bankers Equity in 1996. In completing the strategic stake sale of SME Bank, BMA Capital will draw on its long and deep experience in the banking sector, its extensive network of relationships with local and foreign investors, and its demonstrated ability to execute big-ticket transactions. BMA Capital looks forward to a successful conclusion to the SME Bank sale, and hopes to continue to play a leading role in Pakistan’s financial market.