French firm acquires major stake in Jordan's Airport International Group

AMMAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Airport International Group and international airport operator Groupe Aeroports de Paris (ADP) announced on Thursday ADP has acquired a majority stake of 51 percent in the Jordanian group.

The ADP group, with airports such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport among its enterprises, had owned a 9.5-percent stake in Airport International Group via a subsidiary since 2007.

After the acquisition deal on Thursday, the ADP now owns 51 percent, with the remaining shares distributed among Meridiam Eastern Europe Investments (32 percent), Mena Airport Holding Ltd. (12.25 percent) and Edgo Investment Holdings Ltd. (4.75 percent).

Walid Masri, Minister of Transport and Municipal Affairs, said the deal is the result of cooperation and hard work, aided by support from the official security bodies.

Jordan's Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh said "What we have today goes beyond a simple buy-and-sell agreement as it carries a strong message that the kingdom can be an investment destination and a trusted stronghold for the most important foreign investments."

ADP Chairman and CEO Augustin de Romanet said the group's investment in the deal stand at about 265 million U.S. dollars. Enditem