Rechercher

/ languages

Choisir langue
 

France

French nuclear company Areva to allow Middle East investors

Article published on the 2009-03-12 Latest update 2009-03-12 15:46 TU

A nuclear power plant in eastern France(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

A nuclear power plant in eastern France
(Photo: Sarah Elzas)

France is considering opening up shares of its nuclear company, Areva, to Middle Eastern investment funds, according to a report in the Financial Times newspaper. Offering minority stakes to the funds would help raise much-needed capital for the company, and help its business in the Middle East.

Print the article

Send the article

Comments on article


Sovereign wealth funds from places like the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia could buy between one and five per cent of the company’s shares in Areva, which is 90 per cent owned by the French state.

Investment from Middle Eastern funds could also help France’s  influence in the region, where some countries are interested in developing nuclear energy. Areva is the world’s largest producer of nuclear reactors, and needs new capital to maintain its leadership position.

Areva has not commented.

Last month French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for a review of Areva’s partnerships, and CEO Anne Lauvereon said the company needed more capital, or more state funding.