Global investors in talks to invest in Reliance Jio infra investment trusts: report

Bengaluru: Global investors are in talks with Reliance Industries Ltd to invest in two infrastructure investment trusts set up to own Reliance Jio’s tower and fibre assets, the Economic Times newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing people aware of the matter.

Reliance, once dependent on its industrial businesses, reshaped the Indian telecom industry when it launched its Jio telecom unit in 2016, taking on rivals such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea with its cut-throat pricing.

Canadian pension funds CPPIB, Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (OMERS), British Columbia Pension Corporation (BCPC), sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), investment firms Mubadala and Singapore’s GIC, and Germany’s Allianz SE are among the potential investors, the newspaper reported.

Earlier this month, Reliance transferred its fibre and tower undertakings to separate companies to move liabilities worth 1.07 trillion rupees (USD 15.33 billion) out of Jio’s balance sheet.

Reliance aims to get at least five investors on board, with some joining the conglomerate’s board as co-sponsors, the report added.