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Overview

CDB provides $200 million secured loan to Partners Telecom Colombia and Avantel for the maintenance and development of mobile telecommunication networks in Colombia

Commitments (Constant USD, 2023)$188,983,826
Commitment Year2022Country of ActivityColombiaDirect Recipient Country of IncorporationColombiaSectorCommunicationsFlow TypeLoan

Status

Project lifecycle

Pipeline: Commitment

Pipeline: PledgePipeline: CommitmentImplementationCompletion

Timeline

Key dates

Commitment date
Jan 21, 2022

Stakeholders

Organizations involved in projects and activities supported by financial and in-kind transfers from Chinese government and state-owned entities

Funding agencies

State-owned Policy Banks

  • China Development Bank (CDB)

Receiving agencies

Private Sector

  • Avantel S.A.S.
  • Partners Telecom Colombia S.A.S.

Loan description

CDB provides $200 million secured loan to Partners Telecom Colombia and Avantel for the maintenance and development of mobile telecommunication networks in Colombia

Interest typeUnknown

Narrative

Full Description

Project narrative

On January 21, 2022, the Shenzhen Branch of China Development Bank signed a $200 million facility agreement with Partners Telecom Colombia S.A.S. -- a subsidiary of the Chilean telecommunications services company WOM -- and Avantel S.A.S. for the maintenance and development of mobile telecommunication networks in Colombia. The borrowing terms of the loan are unknown. However, it is known that the facility agreement was structured under the laws of London and it involved a complex security package mainly governed by Colombian law.

Staff comments

1. Posse Herrera Ruiz acted as legal counsel to China Development Bank Shenzhen Branch. Gómez-Pinzón acted as legal counsel to Partners Telecom Colombia. 2. Based in Bogota, Colombia, and founded in 1996, Avantel S.A.S. operates as a telecommunications company that offers different types of communication and services. The firm operates in more than 20 cities in Colombia. The company was acquired by Novator Partners in July 2020 and entered into a merger agreement with Partners Telecom Colombia S.A.S. (WOM) in May 2021. The firm offers data solutions, mobile telecommunications services, and plans and equipment for its clients. The company's portfolio includes business mobile solutions, corporate communication networks, satellite location, voice services through digital trunking, telephone access to and from any destination, and machine-to-machine custom systems. The firm offers postpaid, prepaid, and push-to-talk plans. The company's revenue is generated by offering international roaming, which enables users to stay connected even in abroad, as well as by providing different types of packages for chat and calls. 3. Partners Telecom Colombia S.A.S. -- a subsidiary of the Chilean telecommunications services company WOM -- is an enterprise based in Colombia. Its main office is in Bogota D.C.. It operates in the Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) industry. The company was established on January 13, 2020.