KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Axiata Group Berhad (“Axiata” or “the Group”) on 6 December 2022 announced a special tax-exempt dividend of 4 sen under single tier system per ordinary share of the company for the financial year ending 31 December 2022.

The dividend was declared following the successful completion of the Celcom Digi merger on 30 November 2022. As part of the transaction, Axiata received a cash consideration of RM2.5 billion from Digi.Com Berhad and RM300 million from Telenor Asia Pte Ltd in accordance with the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement and Master Transaction Agreement respectively.

The bulk of the cash proceeds from the merger exercise will be channelled towards strengthening its balance sheet by paring down Axiata’s debt. The special dividend to reward shareholders stems from the remaining cash.

In advancing the Group’s regional expansion strategy, Axiata remains focused on positioning the business to capture new opportunities as it champions digitalisation for communities across Asia. 

About Axiata
In pursuit of its vision to be The Next Generation Digital Champion by 2024, Axiata is a diversified telecommunications and digital conglomerate operating Digital Telcos, Digital Businesses and Infrastructure businesses across a footprint spanning ASEAN and South Asia. 

The Group has controlling stakes in market-leading mobile and fixed operators in the region including 'XL’ and ‘Link Net' in Indonesia, 'Dialog' in Sri Lanka, 'Robi' in Bangladesh, 'Smart' in Cambodia and 'Ncell' in Nepal. ‘Celcom Digi’ in Malaysia is an associate company. Axiata’s regional digital business verticals comprise ‘Boost’ a fintech play, and ‘ADA’, a digital analytics and AI company. 'edotco' is among the top 10 independent TowerCos globally, operating in nine countries to deliver telecommunications infrastructure services.

As a committed and long-term investor, the Group actively supports and drives young talent development; community outreach; as well as climate change initiatives. Axiata's broader goal of Advancing Asia aims to piece together the best in the region in terms of innovation, connectivity and talent to drive digital inclusion and sustainable progress across our markets. Find out more at www.axiata.com 

Issued By: Corporate Communications, Axiata Group Berhad

SOURCE: Axiata Group Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Chang Yan Yi
Corporate Communications
Tel: +6012-4218172
Email: yanyi.chang@axiata.com

--BERNAMA