Bluesky sale simply business says P.M.

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 05 September 2016, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Mailelegaoi says it is understandable why Amper SA is selling Bluesky Samoa to a Fijian-owned company Amalgamated Telecom Holding Limited. 

Amper is a Spain-based company that has various telecom interests in the Pacific including AST Telecom (American Samoa) and Bluesky Samoa. 

Tuilaepa told the media on Thursday that the latest development, the sale of Bluesky Samoa is nothing new in businesses. 

“That is how business works,” said Tuilaepa. 

He recalled in the past the government of Samoa had shares in the New Zealand Telecom company. The Prime Minister said a similar situation occurred when news got around that Telecom was selling its shares to Digicel in which the government owned 10 percent shares. 

“A lot of things like this happen in business and government is looking at plans for this (Bluesky sale).”

Tuilaepa did not say what those plans are by the government. 

Earlier this week, Amper SA released a statement announcing it has accepted a binding offer to sell its South Pacific holdings to A.T.H. 

Under the offer, A.T.H. will acquire a controlling interest in Bluesky Pacific Group for approximately USD79million. 

Amper and A.T.H. is currently engaged in discussions on the terms of the transaction with a view to signing formal agreements in September 2016.

The transaction will be conditional on the parties obtaining all regulatory approvals and consents, including the approval of Amper’s shareholders, and approvals from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the relevant regulatory and government organisations in American Samoa, Samoa and Cook Islands.  

In a press release, Chief Executive of Bluesky Pacific Group, Aoe’e Adolfo Montenegro said; “We are fully briefed the governments, our other local investors and our Bluesky team about the transaction.

“It is my and the managements team’s priority to ensure that we continue to look after the interests of all our shareholders, staff, and customers throughout this process. 

“Our teams remain focused on continuing to serve and add value to our customers and our local communities.”

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 05 September 2016, 12:00AM

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