ABU DHABI: ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, and Bank Audi sal (Bank Audi), one of Lebanon’s leading banks, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for ADQ to acquire 96 percent of the share capital of Odea Bank A.S. (Odeabank), Bank Audi’s subsidiary in Trkiye.
Pursuant to the agreement, Bank Audi and other investors, which include International Finance Corporation, IFC FIG Investment Company Sarl, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), have agreed to sell their respective interests in the share capital of Odeabank to ADQ.
Mansour AlMulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer at ADQ, said, ‘The acquisition of Odeabank reinforces our commitment to investing in assets that lay the foundation for the sustainable development of our portfolio companies as well as the wider economy. As part of ADQ, Odeabank will have access to fresh capital, which will allow the company to unlock synergies with our wider portfolio, underpinned by attractive market dyn
amics in Trkiye. We are confident that this will accelerate the execution of Odeabank’s growth plans, while driving technological innovation in the financial services sector.’
Khalil El Debs, Chief Executive Officer of Bank Audi, said, ‘This transaction aligns well with Bank Audi Group’s present strategic focus on its home market as well as its presence in Europe. We are pleased to have attracted the interest of a global institution like ADQ in acquiring Odea Bank A.S., our Turkish subsidiary.’
In 2022, ADQ launched a US$300 million fund together with Trkiye Wealth Fund, which invests in companies developing emerging technologies or improving existing technologies in key sectors. In the same year, ADQ acquired the leading Turkish pharmaceuticals company Birgi Mefar Group, which has since become part of ADQ’s wholly owned global life sciences holding company Arcera.
In 2023, ADQ signed two memoranda of understanding with the country to deepen bilateral relations and contribute to its economic development.
ADQ’s expansive portfolio spans key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s rapidly diversifying economy, including energy and utilities, food and agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, and transport and logistics, amongst others. Its Financial Services cluster also encompasses Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Wio Bank.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including the approvals of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Authority and the Competition Authority in Trkiye.
Source: Emirates News Agency