Bharti Airtel promoters, GIC to subscribe half of Rs 32K rights issue

Promoters of Bharti Airtel along with Singapore government's investment arm GIC Private Ltd will subscribe to over half of the proposed Rs 32,000 crore rights issue in a bid to infuse funds in the company. "The entire rights entitlement of promoter and promoter group of approximately Rs 167,857million (Rs 16,785.7 crore) will be subscribed by them and GIC," Bharti Airtel said in a statement Thursday. The statement further added that the promoter and promoter group will subscribe to Rs 117,857million (Rs 11,785.7 crore) and GIC will subscribe to Rs 50,000million (or Rs 5,000 crore) by way of renouncement in their favour.

The Board of Bharti Airtel approved the rights issue to raise up to Rs 25,000 crore through the issuance of fully paid up shares at a price of Rs 220 per share and to raise an additionalRs7,000 crore via the foreign currency perpetual bond issue. GIC has confirmed to subscribe to this renounced entitlement on behalf of Government of Singapore and Monetary Authority of Singapore.

"The promoter and promoter group also reserves the right to subscribe either itself or through investors for additional shares in the Issue, including in the event of under-subscription by public, in accordance with the applicable laws," the statement said. Airtel is in the process of appointing banks to execute this.

"The rights issue reiterates the confidence of our shareholders in the competitive strength and sound business strategy of Airtel. It shall further strengthen our balance sheet with desired financial flexibility so as to meet future opportunities, particularly in the rapidly transforming Indian mobile market," Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India & South Asia) - Bharti Airtel said.

He said, the fresh capital infusion will help the company to continue investments in future rollouts to build large network capacity and create content and technology partnerships to ensure the best customer experience.