The Star Exclusive - A giant plan to unlock value

New chief: Izzaddin (left) and Jamaludin at the briefing. After 12 years as head honcho of Axiata, Jamaludin is calling it a day and Izzaddin will take over the reins next year.

Axiata Group Bhd, the blue-chip regional telecommunications giant, has seen its market capitalisation shrink from RM40bil last year to RM29.34bil currently.

Many reckon that this is due to increasing competition, exposure to regulatory risks and the worry that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the group more than other telco’s given its regional spread.

Be that as it may, Axiata though is at an interesting turning point that could see it create significant value – its management is busy in talks with potential suitors for possible sales of assets or forming interesting new partnerships that could see it gain ground in some of its new business ventures.