The State Agency for Management of State Assets (AUGA) intends to complete the privatization process of 100% of the mobile operator Mobiuz (UMS) by the end of 2026.
Alisher Miraliev, deputy director of the agency, announced this in an interview with the publication Spot during the VIII International Conference on Bonds 'Capital Market of the Republic of Uzbekistan'.
In June, a group of investors led by the American company McKim and Company, which won the tender for Mobiuz, signed a memorandum on the privatization of the operator. Currently, both parties are agreeing on the terms of the contract, and the deal price has already been agreed upon.
The consortium is obliged to pay 351 million US dollars for 100% of Mobiuz shares and attract an additional 500 million US dollars for modernizing telecommunication infrastructure and network development. Thus, the total transaction volume, including investment obligations, will amount to 851 million US dollars.
Miraliev noted: 'Yes, the agreement has been signed at the moment. Discussions on the terms of the contract are currently underway. Agreement has been reached on the price component.'
According to him, negotiations are scheduled to be completed, and the contract will be signed before the end of the current year. The management of Mobiuz will be transferred to the investor after the agreement is concluded and initial payments are made.
Furthermore, Miraliev explained that legislation allows for the transfer of a certain share of the company's shares as the investor fulfills its financial obligations.