Coca-Cola HBC Regulatory News (CCH)

29 Jan 2007 07:01

CCH International plc29 January 2007 Press Release 29 January 2007 CCH International plc ("CCH" or "the Group") CCH International enters into co-operation and convertible loan agreements with Jasper Capital Limited (the "Agreement") CCH International plc (AIM:CCH), the trade finance group is pleased to announcethat it has entered into a co-operation and a convertible loan agreement withJasper Capital, the London based but Middle Eastern focused corporate financeand consultancy group which includes Jasper Corporate Finance Limited, a companyregistered in England and authorised by the FSA. Under the Agreement JasperCapital Limited will share with CCH, on a first refusal basis, opportunities forCCH services created by Jasper Capital's established network of contacts in theMiddle East and CCH will recommend clients to Jasper Capital for advisory work.CCH and Jasper Capital will work closely to build their businesses in a mutuallybeneficial way by offering clients a broader range of services that will nowinclude CCH's core offering of Islamic and conventional trade and projectfinance as well as Jasper Capital's corporate finance and consultancy services. Jasper Capital provides a range of financial advisory and consultancy servicesto corporations, financial institutions and governments in the UK andinternationally. With a 14 strong team in London, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and anoffice being established in New Delhi, Jasper Capital is currently mandated on anumber of equity and debt raising transactions and consultancy projects in theUK and the Middle East. CCH will have a guiding role in the running of Jasper Capital and Eren Nil hasbeen appointed to the board of Jasper Capital. Furthermore, Jason Peers, theCEO of Jasper Capital, will join the CCH board with immediate effect. Jasonfounded Jasper Capital Ltd and has subsequently advised clients ranging from theUK Government, the Securities and Investments Institute, several Gulf basedfinancial institutions and many leading UK and Gulf based companies. He is theChairman of the Middle East Association in the Gulf and sits on the Middle EastCommittee of the International Financial Services for London. He is also amember of the Saudi British Joint Business Council. Under the terms of the Agreement, CCH has agreed to loan Jasper up to £543,000convertible loan notes, which at the option of CCH, are convertible into equityon the basis of an agreed formula. The loan will be separated into two equaltranches of £271,500 each subject to certain conditions. Commenting on the Agreement Eren Nil, Managing Director of CCH, stated "We arevery pleased to have signed this deal with Jasper Capital whose client baseincludes some of the biggest names in the Middle East together with companiesseeking to raise finance Islamically and conventionally. Jasper also has longestablished relationships with virtually all Gulf based financial institutionsand as CCH continues its rapid expansion, Jasper's network should bring newclient opportunities, thereby complementing CCH's growth strategy. We welcomethe Jasper team." Commenting on the agreement, Jason Peers , Chief Executive of Jasper, said "weare very excited by this further expansion of our already active relationshipwith CCH. There is a significant demand for structured solutions and qualityadvice from large and small companies alike and particularly where a crossborder transaction is involved. The combination of our product ranges andinternational networks means that we can present more comprehensive solutions toour growing client base in the UK and Middle East, and extend our activities tonew clients and markets". Jason Peers, aged 44, has been a Director of the following companies andorganisations during the past five years: Current Directorships Directorships held in the past five Jasper Capital Limited yearsJasper Consult Financial Services Limited Just Mot's LimitedJasper Private Equity LimitedJasper Consult LimitedJasper Corporate Finance LimitedJasper Invest LimitedEmirates Capital LimitedThe New School of EnglishCarter Properties LimitedCamguide Publications LimitedPSI energy holdings Limited (Bahrain) There is no other information that requires disclosure under Schedule 2paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules. - Ends - For further information, please contact: CCH International Plc www.cch-international.comEren Nil, Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 20 8334 0871Richard Fossett, Director and COOeren@cch-international.comr.fossett@cch-international.com Abchurch Communications www.abchurch-group.comHeather Salmond / Charlie Jack Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700charlie.jack@abchurch-group.com Notes to editors - CCH International offers a range of finance products to institutions andcorporations wishing to raise finance or to sell on trade receivables eitherthrough conventional means or through its own internet based brokerage facilitywww.cch-etrade.com. The Company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market(AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. CCH International is also a specialist inIslamic Finance and has the ability to arrange for Morabaha, Ijara, Istisna andother compliant facilities. CCH International has offices in England, Germany and Bahrain, as well asstrategic partnerships / affiliates / relationships in Australia, UAE, Turkey,and the USA. Further information on the Company is available atwww.cch-international.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange