Daily Update: Singtel Explores Optus Minority Partnership; AIMS APAC REIT Secures Sustainability-Linked Loan Facilities.

SINGTEL OPEN TO MINORITY PARTNER IN ITS AUSTRALIAN UNIT – OPTUS

Singtel, Singapore’s largest telecom operator, Thursday said it is open to onboarding a minority partner in its Australian unit – Optus. 

Singtel said its ongoing approach to its portfolio of operating companies and associates involves regularly evaluating opportunities to enhance its businesses and performance. 

“This may include engaging with strategic local partners who can bring complementary capabilities and expertise to improve service provision and quality. This has been the case for many of its regional investments outside Singapore. To this end, the Group is open to working with potential Australian partners that align with its objectives of Optus,” Singtel said. 

It noted that it contemplates a like-minded long-term local partner owning a meaningful minority stake in Optus. 

“Optus has been an integral and strategic part of the Singtel Group for over 25 years, and the Group is committed to Australia for the long term. The Group’s focus there continues to be on working closely with the Optus Board and management to strengthen Optus’ operational capabilities,” the company said. 

While Singtel holds approximately 45% mobile market share in Singapore with 4.6 million subscribers, making it the country’s largest mobile network operator,  Optus, Singtel’s wholly-owned Australian subsidiary, is the second-largest mobile operator in Australia with around 10.5 million mobile subscribers and approximately 28% market share.

AIMS APAC REIT SECURES SECOND UNSECURED S$450 MILLION AND A$160 MILLION SUSTAINABILITY LINKED LOAN FACILITIES

AIMS APAC REIT Management, a Singapore-based real estate investment trust listed on the Mainboard of the SGX-ST, Thursday said it has secured its second unsecured sustainability-linked loan comprising revolving credit facilities of S$450 million and A$160 million.

The facilities were arranged by United Overseas Bank, Singapore, acting as sole Coordinator, Mandated Lead Arranger and Book runner and sole Sustainability Coordinator.

In addition, AA REIT secured a separate A$115 million syndicated loan through two wholly owned subsidiaries, including a green loan tranche to Optus Centre.

The facility was arranged by United Overseas Bank Limited Sydney and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited. UOB also acted as the Green Loan Coordinator for this specific loan.

AIMS APAC REIT,  owns a diversified portfolio of industrial, logistics and business park real estate, located throughout the Asia Pacific region. Its existing portfolio consists of 27 properties, of which 24 properties are located throughout Singapore, and 3 properties located in Australia, including a property located in Gold Coast, Queensland, a 49.0% interest in Optus Centre located in Macquarie Park, New South Wales and Woolworths HQ located in Bella Vista, New South Wales.

AA REIT is an index onstituent of the MSCI Singapore Small Cap Index, iEdge S-REIT Index, FTSE EPRA Nareit Global Developed Index, iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index, iEdge Singapore Next 50 Liquidity Weighted Index, Morningstar Developed Markets REIT, and Vanguard.

Mr Russell Ng, CEO of the Manager said, “These facilities enhance our financial flexibility, extend our debt maturity profile and further diversify our funding sources. Importantly, they also reflect the continued confidence and support of our existing and new banking partners.”

He further added that this transaction builds on their proactive capital management approach, from the opportunistic issuance of lower-cost perpetual securities to the refinancing of our upcoming maturities.