PRESS SECRETARY
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
Email: pmoffice@gov.gd | pmoffice@spiceisle.com
Website:
www.gov.gd
Phone: 1-473-440-7258 or
1-473-440-2255 Fax: 1- 473-435-7285
NEWS
RELEASE
JOINT COMMUNIQUE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA AND
CABLE & WIRELESS GRENADA LTD.
GOVERNMENT
SELLS SHARES IN C&W
Friday, January 25, 2008, St. George’s: The Government of Grenada is selling two thirds of its
shareholding in Cable & Wireless Grenada Limited. The shares will be
sold to the Grenadian public in accordance with Clause 9(e) of the Shareholder
Agreement between the Government of Grenada and Cable & Wireless. A total
of eight million (8,000,000) shares, representing 20% of the total issued
shares of the company, is involved in the sale. Grenadians
both locally and abroad are entitled to participate in the divestment programme.
This move comes after negotiations with and the
support of Cable and Wireless International which is the major shareholder in
Cable & Wireless Grenada, the leading telecommunications provider on the Island. The divestment is part of the Government’s fiscal
reform strategy, developed more than two years ago, and supported by the IMF
and World Bank. The Government will retain four million (4,000,000) shares of
10% of the issued shares of Cable & Wireless Grenada Ltd.
The sale of shares in one of the largest
industrial companies in Grenada
provides an excellent opportunity to the Grenadian public to hedge their
savings against inflation. Historically, the basic share value has increased
over time. Grenadian investors should also experience a rise in income, as the
dividends paid by Cable & Wireless Grenada have been consistently higher
than interest paid on savings and time deposits. Government expects this trend
to continue.
Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell says, “The Government is pleased
to give Grenadians the opportunity to purchase shares
in Cable & Wireless and so maximize their income and enhance their capital.”
Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Grenada, Mr. Ian Blanchard says, “Cable &
Wireless is supportive of the Government’s move to divest a major portion of
its shares to the Grenadian public and remains committed to partnering with the
Government and people of Grenada
in achieving our mutual goals.”
The sale of shares will commence in late
February 2008 at which time a financial summary including price of shares will
be released.
For further information contact
Permanent
Secretary
OR
W.R. Agostini, F.C.C.A.
Ministry
of
Finance
Archibald Avenue,
Financial
Complex
St. George’s
Tel:
440-2731/440-2928
Tel: 440-4861/440-8039
Email: finance@gov.gd
Website: www.gov.gd
Notes to Editors
About Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless is one of the world’s
leading international communications companies. It operates through two
stand-alone business units – International and Europe,
Asia & US. The International business unit operates integrated telecommunications
companies in 33 countries offering mobile, broad band, domestic and
international fixed line services to residential and business customers, with
principal operations in the Caribbean, Panama,
Macau, Channel Islands and Monaco.
For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to www.cw.com
.