Acquiring Vivendi SA's (VIV.FR) Maroc Telecom (IAM.CL) unit
could have "strategic interest" for France Telecom SA (FTE.FR),
Chief Executive Stephane Richard said in an interview with French
business daily Le Figaro Wednesday.
"This could have strategic interest but it is out of the
question to be limited to a calendar or valuation," Mr. Richard
told the newspaper.
France Telecom has very limited means to make acquisitions due
to its large debt and low share price, Mr. Richard said. "But this
doesn't hold us from looking for ways to seek interesting
opportunities," he added.
Vivendi has been in the midst of a strategic review since spring
and is considering deals that would shift it away from
telecommunications to focus on the media business.
The group has given financial information about its Maroc
Telecom unit to several potential bidders, and hopes to complete a
sale as early as the first quarter, people familiar with the
process have said.
Vivendi owns approximately 53% of Maroc Telecom. It is also in
the process of selling Brazilian telecoms unit GVT.
Newspaper website: http://www.lefigaro.fr
Write to Ruth Bender at ruth.bender@dowjones.com
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