DUBAI: Abraaj Group told creditors that the sale of a stake in its fund-management unit and Pakistani utility will help resolve potential liquidity issues, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The Dubai-based firm, roiled by allegations of misused funds, last week met banks, including Societe Generale SA and Mashreqbank that have the biggest exposure, the people said, asking not to be identified because the meeting wasn’t public. Abraaj told lenders it’s close to finding a buyer for the asset-management stake and will soon complete the disposal of its holding in K-Electric Ltd (KE), they said.

Abraaj raised a loan from Mashreqbank pledging the proceeds from the KE sale, one of the people said. Abraaj declined to comment, while Societe Generale and Mashreqbank didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Fund took loan against proceeds from proposed K-Electric sale to shore up its position

The Middle East’s biggest buyout firm is seeking to reassure banks and investors after allegations that it misused client money - including from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank - sent shock waves through the ranks of local dealmakers. The company is reorganising its structure with founder Arif Naqvi ceding control of the fund-management unit and plans to introduce new internal controls. It has also cut about 15 per cent of its total workforce.

Abraaj is said to be in talks to sell a majority stake in its asset-management unit to Colony NorthStar Inc. The company is selling the division to raise cash amid heightened scrutiny and to help stabilise the business, people said in March.

Abraaj’s cash position has been eroded as one of its largest-ever exits, the proposed sale of a 66.4pc stake in KE, is yet to be completed. The company had agreed to sell the asset to Shanghai Electric Power Co for $1.77 billion in October 2016, but the deal has been held up due to negotiations over electricity tariffs with the government, according to people aware of the matter.

Bloomberg/The Washington Post Service

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2018