|
CHINA> National
![]() |
|
CIC in talks with AIG over unit acquisition: Report
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-22 09:35 TOKYO: A consortium led by China's sovereign wealth fund is in talks with struggling US insurance giant American International Group (AIG) to acquire a stake in one of its units, a Japanese daily reported on Friday. The purchase would open the door for future capital and business tie-ups between AIG and Chinese investors, paving the way for the Asian giant to become a major player in the global insurance market. AIG and China Investment Corp aim to reach a conclusion by the end of this year, Nikkei business daily reported, without naming its sources. AIG is said to be considering a sale of its American Life Insurance Co, or Alico, on condition that it gets to keep more than 50 percent of the firm.
Alico has operations in more than 55 countries. With Alico's Japan unit accounting for up to 70 percent of the company's entire insurance premium revenue, the deal would give China an effective entry into the Japanese insurance market. Liu Lefei, China Life's chief investment officer, said investment opportunities are emerging overseas. "I believe the uncertainties in the global market are easing and it will bottom out soon, due to the strong commitments made by a number of governments to save their economies," he said. Liu said that some quality assets sold by bogged-down international financial giants, have good investment value. "With some 100 billion yuan ($14.64 billion) cash in hand, we will actively seek such opportunities," he said. China Life, the country's biggest life insurer, is one of the largest institutional investors. Last month, AIG announced plans to sell "non-core" assets, likely including its three Japanese units - Alico Japan, AIG Edison Life Insurance and AIG Star Life Insurance. AIG is believed to be narrowing down candidates for the sale by soliciting bids behind the scenes. The US government has announced an expanded bailout for AIG of more than $150 billion, as the Treasury tapped into emergency funds originally set for banks. The latest bailout plan, the largest in US history, came as AIG burned through billions of dollars of cash and reported a third-quarter loss of $24.47 billion. Agencies - China Daily |
||||
白银市| 曲水县| 无锡市| 东光县| 南溪县| 贵溪市| 湾仔区| 黎川县| 刚察县| 平邑县| 镇坪县| 平阳县| 南部县| 东城区| 寻乌县| 海口市| 油尖旺区| 宁都县| 亚东县| 汾阳市| 汝南县| 弥渡县| 新营市| 昌图县| 全椒县| 神农架林区| 广河县| 承德市| 鸡西市| 扬中市| 衡山县| 黔西县| 宁陕县| 特克斯县| 右玉县| 凌海市| 阿巴嘎旗| 五河县| 尤溪县| 九江县| 永康市|