Categories: Travel

Blackstone considers selling majority stake in USD 7 billion visa firm VFS Global, ET TravelWorld


Blackstone Inc. is considering options including a sale of its majority stake in visa outsourcing and technology services firm VFS Global after receiving interest from prospective investors, people familiar with the matter said.

The US alternative asset manager has held preliminary discussions with advisers to evaluate a full or partial stake sale in VFS, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. A potential transaction could value VFS at about USD 7 billion, the people said.

One of the options could include bringing in a minority investor to help raise cash and boost growth, the people said. Firms including sovereign wealth funds have shown interest in investing in the asset, the people said.

Considerations are at an early stage and Blackstone may still decide against pursuing a deal, they said. A representative for Blackstone declined to comment.

Etihad Airways, owned by ADQ, plans to debut on the stock market no sooner than 2025. The airline aims to present strong financial results for 2024 and has been expanding under CEO Antonoaldo Neves. The IPO would be a significant move as Abu Dhabi enhances its role as a global travel hub.

VFS Global, headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, provides governments with administrative solutions for processing passport applications and visa consular services, according to its website. The company has processed more than 294 million applications since 2001 and about 141 million biometric enrollments since 2007, it said.Blackstone bought a majority stake in VFS from EQT AB for an undisclosed amount in 2022, with the Swedish investor retaining a minority stake in the business along with the Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.

  • Published On Sep 15, 2024 at 04:00 PM IST

Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals

Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis.

Download ETTravelWorld App

  • Get Realtime updates
  • Save your favourite articles

Scan to download App




Source link

24timenews.com

Recent Posts

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight: Rematch at The Sphere in Las Vegas

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are set to run back one of the biggest fights…

8 hours ago

Stellantis Expects Annual Loss: €22B EV Hit

Stellantis could report an annual operating loss for the first time.   The automaker is…

8 hours ago

A hidden force beneath the Atlantic ripped open a 500 kilometer canyon

On land, dramatic canyons such as the Grand Canyon are carved over time by flowing…

8 hours ago

Team USA hockey wins legendary Olympic gold; Duke basketball tops Michigan

This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide…

18 hours ago

Volkswagen Revisits The Golf GTI With Three Times More Cylinders Than Seats

The Golf Design Vision GTI premiered 13 years ago. VW's one-off hot hatch had a…

18 hours ago

Simple blood test can forecast Alzheimer’s years before memory loss

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a new way…

18 hours ago