Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (NSE: ASTERDM; BSE: 540975) has received the requisite majority of shareholder votes towards the separation of the GCC business from the Indian operations.
Voting on the two resolutions proposed by the Company, closed on January 22, 2024.
In respect of Resolution 1 being the resolution for approving the sale of the GCC business as a related party transaction, 99.86% of the eligible votes were in favour on this resolution. It is to be noted that since this resolution was for approving a related party transaction, the related parties were not eligible to vote for approving the transaction.
Resolution 2, being the resolution for approving the sale, of a material subsidiary was approved by shareholders with a 99.96% votes in favour of the resolution.
Expressing satisfaction on the voting outcome, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare said: “We are glad that shareholders have appreciated the long-term value-unlocking opportunity in the separation of the two businesses and have strongly supported the transaction with a landslide vote in favour of the transaction. The investors too have shown patience and trust in the company throughout this period. As disclosed earlier, we are looking to declare previously announced dividend soon upon relevant approvals being obtained upon closing of the transaction. The proposed transaction will now create two geographically focussed pure-play entities, each with its own capital allocation policy. The promoters remain committed to both the India and GCC entities and will continue to manage the business as earlier. The Indian healthcare market with a population of 1.4 billion to serve, is posed for rapid and sustainable growth in the next few years. With its aggressive growth plans, Aster DM Healthcare aims to be among the Top 3 integrated healthcare providers in India.”
Post closing of the proposed transaction, the Company is desirous to consider distributing 70-80 percent of the upfront consideration of $903 million as a dividend to its shareholders in the range of
₹110 to ₹120 per share, subject to approvals required under the law. The closing of the transaction is subject to completion of certain conditions precedent which are in advanced stages of completion.
The company also plans to boost its India presence by adding 1500 beds in the next 2-3 years to take the total bed capacity to more than 6000 beds. At present, Aster operates in five states with a network comprising 19 hospitals, 13 clinics, 226 pharmacies, and 251 patient experience centers.