Axiata-Telenor merger proposal may be called off

Apart from the sheer complexity of the deal, which involves 14 entities across nine countries, the stumbling blocks surround commercial issues, national and staff interests, and Indonesia’s reluctance to give its blessings, as it sees Norway as being part of the European Union’s (EU) pressure on palm oil imports. Without Indonesia as part of the enlarged group, the odds of the deal materialising are basically zero.

PETALING JAYA: All indications point to the mega-merger of the Asian telecoms assets of Axiata Group Bhd and Norway’s Telenor ASA being called off, barring a last-minute concession made by parties involved in the negotiations.

Apart from the sheer complexity of the deal, which involves 14 entities across nine countries, the stumbling blocks surround commercial issues, national and staff interests, and Indonesia’s reluctance to give its blessings, as it sees Norway as being part of the European Union’s (EU) pressure on palm oil imports. Without Indonesia as part of the enlarged group, the odds of the deal materialising are basically zero.